Today we celebrate International Clinical Trials Day! Here at the Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre at The Kids Research Institute and Perth Children's Hospital, we are proud to be leading the way in a number of world-first and Australian-first clinical trials in Diabetes technology, treatment and care.
Running clinical trials in our integrated research and clinic diabetes centre, means we get to offer West Australians the opportunity to benefit from the latest approaches to diabetes diagnosis, management and potential delay of onset - offering hope to families.
To celebrate the incredible work our team are doing in the clinical trials space, we are highlighting two of our current clinical trials:
Redefining Glucose Level for Hypo Treatment study:
We asked Clinical Research Nurse Julie Dart a few questions to find out more about the study.
Meet the team: Dr Wendy Chan She Ping-Delfos, Julie Dart, Dr Mary Abraham and Peter Delaney
What is the Redefining Glucose Level for Hypo Treatment study?
This is a 10-week study trialling two different hypo treatment plans:
Recommended standard treatment: treating all hypo’s when glucose level is <3.9mmol
Revised Hypo treatment: treating hypos at lower glucose values and adapting as per clinical need.
Why are you doing the study?
We want to revisit the glucose level at which hypos are treated. Current recommendations are to treat when the glucose level is < 3.9mmol/L.
With new technology now being used to manage diabetes, we want to see if this technology allows us to safely individualise the level at which hypos need to be treated.
The study results will guide future recommendations we give to families to manage hypos.
What’s involved in the study?
In this study, only the first visit is face-to-face. The rest of the monitoring and visits are via phone, email or telehealth.
Participants are randomised into one of the hypo treatment plans first, with a two week ‘wash-out’ period before swapping to the other treatment plan.
At any time during the study, participants can treat if symptomatic, are <3.9mmol/L with down arrows on CGM, or are exercising.
Why are clinical trials important?
Clinical trials provide the data we need as health care professionals, to improve the treatment and advice given to our families. The studies provide an insight into their lives, how they manage their type 1 diabetes and the impact it has. The evidence-based data we collect will help us to improve the advice and treatment options available.
How can people join the study?
For more information on the 'Redefining Glucose Level for Hypo Treatment' study, contact Julie on diabetes.research@health.wa.gov.au
JAK Inhibitors to Preserve C-Peptide Production in New Onset T1D (JAKPOT) Trial:
We asked Clinical Research Nurse Pratima Kattel Adhikari a few questions to find out more about the study.
Participant Emily Zottola (13), with her mum Jennifer Dobsen, is one of the first Australian participants in the JAKPOT trial.
What is the JAKPOT Trial?
The JAK inhibitors to preserve C-peptide production in new onset type 1 diabetes (JAKPOT) trial is a US and Australian research study for youth who have been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, within 100 days, to see if JAK inhibitors can preserve pancreas function.
What is the purpose of the study?
We want to find out if new medicines can help children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). These medicines are called JAK inhibitors, and we want to know if they can help you make more of your own insulin. This would mean you don’t need as many insulin injections.
How long will the study go for?
Participants receive 12 months of active treatment, or placebo and 12 months of follow-up.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
We cannot guarantee or promise that your child will receive any benefits from this research. However, current scientific evidence suggests abrocitinib and ritlecitinib may help suppress the immune attack that causes diabetes and preserve the ability to produce insulin. It's also an opportunity for close contact with the diabetes team, providing extra support in the early-stages of your diabetes diagnosis.
How can people join the study?
For more information on JAKPOT, contact Pratima on pratima.katteladhikari@health.wa.gov.au