In December, JDRF Australia, a leading research funder of Type 1 diabetes announced a research breakthrough following a world-first Australian clinical trial which supressed Type 1 diabetes progression. The findings, which were published in the leading medical journal, The New England Journal of Medicine, detailed that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis drug (baricitinib) can preserve the body’s own insulin production and suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in those newly diagnosed with the condition.
This is an exciting first step for the researchers and further work will be necessary to understand how this class of medication could be made available to people living with T1D. Professor Thomas Kay, Principal Investigator of the study said, “Our BANDIT (Baricitinib in New Onset Type 1 Diabetes) trial has determined that baricitinib can preserve beta cell function and insulin production in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This suggests that if given early enough baricitinib may allow people with type 1 diabetes to be significantly less dependent on insulin treatment.”
The Ottomin Foundation is a keen supporter and multi-year donor of JDRF Australia for another trial, Type1Screen, a free program available to any family members of a person diagnosed with T1D. Testing through Type1Screen can identify the early stages of T1D.
For further information regarding the research breakthrough visit here
