Immune signatures associated with rapid beta cell loss in T1D
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying immune signatures associated with rapid beta cell loss in children and young people with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
166136
Contact name
Peter Hindmarsh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS foundation Trust & The UCL Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
This project involves children and young adults with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes (T1D). In T1D, the part of the body which makes insulin (the beta cells of the pancreas) is faulty. This is because the defence (or ‘immune’) system targets the beta cells so they stop working. Insulin is needed to reduce blood sugar levels, so if not enough insulin is made, the blood sugar levels rise.
At diagnosis, the pancreas is usually making some insulin, but not enough. When insulin treatment starts this may ‘rest’ the beta cells, so the insulin dose is low to begin with and blood sugar levels are relatively easy to control. This is called the ‘honeymoon period’. Over time these cells stop making insulin, more insulin is needed and blood sugar levels are harder to manage. Some T1D patients stop making insulin very soon after diagnosis, whilst others continue to make their own insulin for months and even years. Making some of your own insulin is better for you; the blood sugar is easier to control and in the long term there is more protection from the long term damage of high blood sugar levels.
At the moment we do not know who will stop making their own insulin quickly and who will carry on making insulin for longer. This study hopes to identify key factors involved in this process. We hope this will help us determine better treatments for diabetes in the future.
The study will also help us work out whether we can use a simple urine test rather than a blood test to follow how much insulin the pancreas is making over time.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0355
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion