NEW
YORK, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough
T1D, formerly JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D)
research and advocacy organization, gathered with researchers,
diabetes professionals, and other leaders in T1D at the American
Diabetes Association's (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions, where
Breakthrough T1D scientists, clinicians, and Breakthrough
T1D-funded researchers presented research results that will improve
outcomes for people with T1D.
Held June 21-24 in Orlando, Florida, the ADA Scientific Sessions
is one of the largest diabetes conferences in the world.
Breakthrough T1D-supported research has been highlighted at this
annual event since the organization started funding research in the
1970s. This year, researchers presented more than 180 studies—with
Breakthrough T1D funding at present or in the past—that are paving
the way for more life-changing T1D breakthroughs.
"As we drive toward cures, Breakthrough T1D connects and funds
the brightest minds to help accelerate cures, advance treatments,
and improve access to care for those who live with type 1 diabetes
all over the world. The research presented at the ADA Scientific
Sessions demonstrates the incredible progress being made in the
space," said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D.,
Breakthrough T1D CEO. "Breakthrough T1D is thrilled to lead and
support the innovation and cutting-edge research that are
accelerating life-changing breakthroughs for people with type 1
diabetes."
A key highlight of this year's conference was the presentation
and publication of the first-ever international consensus guidance
for monitoring early-stage T1D. Convened and led by Breakthrough
T1D, the guidance was developed in conjunction with over 60
international experts representing 10 countries and endorsed by 11
national and international organizations and societies. It provides
guidance for monitoring children, adolescents, and adults who test
positive for T1D autoantibodies, along with recommended frequencies
of monitoring and actions for health care professionals when risk
of progression towards symptomatic T1D is high. Notably, the
guidance also includes recommendations for educational and
psychosocial support.
"Early detection of type 1 diabetes is a priority for
Breakthrough T1D, and the development of this guidance provides
clarity and next steps for individuals, caregivers, and health care
professionals following a positive autoantibody test," said
Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D., Breakthrough
T1D chief scientific officer. "Clear monitoring guidance create a
pathway to realize the benefits of early detection of T1D,
including significant reduction in incidences of diabetic
ketoacidosis at diagnosis, opportunities to participate in clinical
trials, access to therapies that can delay onset of T1D, and time
to prepare for a diagnosis. The ADA Scientific Sessions was an
ideal place to present this guidance to the broader T1D scientific
and professional communities."
Other highlights from the sessions include:
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals gave a highly anticipated
update on the phase I/II clinical trial of VX-880, their stem
cell-derived islet cell therapy. Today, all participants who
have had the therapy for at least five months have an HbA1c below
7.0% and are above target time-in-range, 11 of 12 participants have
reduced or eliminated the need for external insulin, and all three
individuals who received the therapy at least 12 months ago have
eliminated hypoglycemic events and are fully off external
insulin—meeting the primary and secondary endpoints. This
research was made possible by years of funding by Breakthrough T1D
and the T1D Fund to Doug Melton,
Ph.D., and Semma Therapeutics—a biotech company founded by Melton
to develop a stem cell-derived islet therapy for T1D—which was
acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
- Kevan Herold, M.D., presented a
secondary analysis of the phase III PROTECT
clinical trial. In October
2023, Tzield™ (teplizumab-mzwv) showed that it can slow
the loss of beta cells and preserve beta cell function in newly
diagnosed (stage 3 T1D) children and adolescents ages eight to 17.
This analysis demonstrated that, in addition to slowing down the
loss of beta cells in new-onset T1D, Tzield can decrease insulin
dose and improve time-in-range. This reinforces our commitment
to supporting therapies that preserve beta cells at onset,
which is important for the prevention of complications and
improvement in new-onset clinical factors. Dr. Herold has been
supported by Breakthrough T1D since the late 1980s. In his
research, he showed that he could prevent autoimmune diabetes
with an immune-modifying antibody (which later, became a
humanized version, teplizumap) and was the lead on the clinical
trial that demonstrated that teplizumab could delay the onset
of T1D in people almost certain to develop the disease. In
November 2022, teplizumab
was approved by the FDA to delay the onset of the disease
in at-risk individuals eight and older.
- In a Breakthrough T1D-funded study, Peter Calhoun, Ph.D., gave a fascinating talk on
how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can predict who will move
onto Stage 3 T1D earlier. He took a dataset from five screening
programs—TrialNet, ASK (Autoimmunity Screening for Kids), DAISY
(Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young), DIPP (Type 1 Diabetes
Prediction and Prevention), and BDR (Belgium Diabetes Registry)—and
was able to show that incorporating CGM metrics into individual
characteristics had the best predictive performance to classify
individuals of the impending clinical onset of T1D.
More information about Breakthrough T1D-funded research and
presentations can be found on Breakthrough T1D's website.
About Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF
As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy
organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1
diabetes better while driving toward cures. We do this by investing
in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working
with government to address issues that impact the T1D community,
and helping educate and empower individuals facing this
condition.
About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make
very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on
insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications,
which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the
kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death. Globally, it
impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed
in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common
and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D
has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not
yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic
factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently
no cure for T1D.
Contact:
Casey Fielder
509-651-0087
media@BreakthroughT1D.org
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SOURCE JDRF International