clinical trials of the artificial pancreas.

Q: Can you tell me more about participating in the artificial pancreas trials? Where are they being performed and do they study children?

A: This is a great question . The JDRF is currently supporting research at a number of sites. Clinical studies are being performed at:

The University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO - Dr. Peter Chase (Pediatric site)
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA - Dr. Bruce Buckingham (Pediatric site)
The Sansum Diabetes Institute, Santa Barbara, CA - Dr. Lois Jovanovic
The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA - Dr. William Clarke (Pediatric site)
Cambridge University, Cambridge, U.K. - Dr. David Dunger
Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR - Dr. Kenneth Ward
Boston University/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA - Dr. Steven Russell
Yale University, New Haven, CT - Dr. Stuart Weinzimer (Pediatric Site)
University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France - Dr. Eric Renard
University of Padova, Padova, Italy - Dr. Angelo Avogaro
Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel - Dr. Moshe Phillip (Pediatric Site)

Much more information about this consortium including more detailed descriptions of the work each group is performing, publication references, and information about the sites can be found on the website of the consortium coordinating center - the Jaeb Center. The Jaeb Center is led by Dr. Roy Beck and facilitates and enhances the research at each of the clinical sites by supporting regulatory processes, clinical trial design, data collection and interpretation, and device (pump/sensor) integration into the studies among other things.Each of these sites is currently enrolling patients for closed--loop studies (though many are limiting the number of patients they are enrolling). Each of the studies currently is performed at what we call the CRC--the Clinical Research Center--which is a controlled hospital-like environment. These studies are helping both the diabetes doctors and the algorithm developers optimize the approaches we plan to use when we move to less controlled outpatient (real world) studies. We hope that in the next 12 months the first outpatient studies will begin.As you can see, the group that JDRF is funding consists of both pediatric and adult endocrinologists (note that the pediatric sites will sometimes see patients above 18 years of age). Children can participate in the artificial pancreas trials. Each site has descriptions of the eligibility criteria for their respective studies - that is, who can and can not participate.This is an exciting time for closed-loop research. I suggest you take a look at the following video describing one artificial pancreas trial participant's experience. It is amazing! I also suggest you sign up for the JDRF Clinical Trials Connection. This is an easy way to learn about trials that you or your loved one may be eligible to participate in - artificial pancreas and across the spectrum of diabetes research.

The JDRF is the only organization of its kind devoted to finding a cure for adults and children living type 1diabetes. For four decades we’ve concentrated our support on advancing the most promising work ofresearchers, scientists, physicians, academic medical centers, and more across the globe.Our dedication to finding a cure focuses not just on this long-term need, but also on improving everyone’s lifetoday by working to reduce the life-threatening aspects of diabetes and providing emotional support andpractical resources for the day-to-day issues surrounding the disease. Not only has JDRF accelerated diabetes research, we are a leader in diabetes advocacy. JDRF’s advocacycampaign resulted in insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors by the nation’s largest healthplans and many regional ones. JDRF has also persuaded the Food and Drug Administration to make the artificial pancreas an agency priority.Every day JDRF brings together people who have type 1 diabetes, or have a connection to someone with type1, and offers them support, advocacy and hope. With our local chapters across the U.S. and the world and ournew online community, you can connect with individuals who understand what it’s like to live with diabetes 24hours a day, and join in the efforts to improve life and find a cure.Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, the JDRF has awarded more than $1.3billion to diabetes research, and funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories,hospitals, and industry,and fellowships in 22 countries. No other organization today is as uniquely poised as the JDRF to accelerate and drive breakthroughs from thelab to the bedside of type 1 diabetes patients. We stand together at a remarkable point in history where a better quality of life for all, and a cure,are withinreach in our lifetime. We welcome you to join the JDRF and make a real difference in the lives of everyoneliving with diabetes.

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