AKRON — Akron Children’s Hospital is participating in the third phase of the international DiaPrevent study evaluating the effectiveness of a vaccine to prevent further progression of Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, in newly-diagnosed patients.
Jessica Richiutti recently learned she’s a Type 1 diabetic.
Her disease causes her immune system to attack the cells that make insulin.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
“There’s a period of time right at the diagnosis where there’s a number of cells that are not completely destroyed but they are able to function,” says Dr. William Riley who heads the pediatric endocrinology department at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Jessica is one of 320 young people aged 10 to 20 testing a new vaccine, called Diamyd, to help preserve healthy cells before the disease destroys them all.
“I just wanted to help kids and if I could do it, I’m just gonna do it,” Jessica says.
However, because it’s a clinical study, she doesn’t know if she’s actually getting the vaccine.
Health Benefit Consultants, Share Your Expert Insights in Our Survey
WKYC-TV Website WKYC provides comprehensive media coverage of the business of health care in Cleveland. WKYC is also a MedCityNews syndication partner.
“I might get the placebo I might get the real thing but I’m still helping people,” Jessica says.
“She wraps it up as helping other kids but really it’s in a situation like this that you look for any hope and if not for us then for the next guy,” Tony Richiutti, Jessica’s father says.
Jessica must test her blood sugar and inject insulin several times a day. If the vaccine works, that might change.
If we can preserve a few of those cells she may not need to take as much insulin and her blood sugars will be very easy to control,” Dr. Riley says.
High blood sugar can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys.
So far, Dr. Riley says the vaccine seems to have few side effects but it will be another two years before researchers know if it’s effective.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether the vaccine can help patients with Type 1 diabetes continue to make their own insulin. The active substance in Diamyd is a protein called glutamic acid decarboxylase, which may be able to prevent further destruction of the body’s insulin-producing beta cells.
Studies have shown that patients with Type 1 diabetes who continue to produce their own insulin have less trouble with low blood sugar and fewer health complications. Participants of the study will need to continue to take insulin shots and actively manage their diabetes.
They will continue to see their primary care doctor in addition to their required visits to Akron Children’s Hospital.
The study is sponsored by Diamyd Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company based in Sweden. For more information about the clinical trial, call 330-543-5012.
WKYC provides comprehensive media coverage of the business of health care in Cleveland. WKYC is also a MedCityNews syndication partner.
