Local researchers lead biggest ‘artificial pancreas’ outpatient study

The Children’s Diabetes Centre at the Telethon Kids Institute is leading the longest and largest at-home trial of a hybrid closed-loop insulin pump system — a device that is a step towards an artificial pancreas — in a bid to improve the lives of young people living with Type 1 Diabetes.

The six-month Hybrid Closed-Loop Outpatient Trial involves participants testing an automated insulin delivery system to see if it is better at optimising blood glucose levels than standard therapy.

The study, which is still recruiting, will include 160 participants aged 12 to 25 and 120 adults aged 26 to 70 years.

The young people’s team is being led by Professor Tim Jones, co-director of the Children’s Diabetes Centre at the Telethon Kids Institute and paediatrician at Princess Margaret Hospital, while Associate Professor David O’Neal, from Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital, heads up the adult trial. 

Professor Jones said researchers wanted to understand whether hybrid closed-loop systems could improve the quality of life of Type 1 diabetics, in addition to any healthcare system savings this type of treatment could bring.

“The hybrid closed-loop system consists of an insulin pump, sensor with transmitter attached and a maths program (an algorithm) within the pump that automatically works out how much insulin is needed and is adjusted every five minutes,” Professor Jones said.

“This study will tell us if using this system is better than either insulin injections or normal insulin pump therapy at keeping blood glucose levels within the normal range. 

“Researchers will also explore how this technology affects how people feel about managing diabetes, specifically by improving their blood glucose levels, reducing diabetes complications and making treatment easier — which all goes towards reducing the burden of diabetes.”

Jake O’Brien is the first patient to be recruited to the young people’s study. The 16-year-old was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 14  and decided to get involved in the trial because he believed the only way to improve outcomes for people with diabetes was through research.

“I’m hoping that my participation will result in a greater understanding and awareness for diabetes which will in turn, improve the treatment options and outcomes for people living with Type 1 Diabetes,” Jake said.

The Hybrid Closed-Loop Outpatient Trial is a multi-centre study involving a number of Australian hospitals, and is funded by the Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network, an innovative clinical research program led by JDRF Australia and funded by a Special Research Initiative through the Australian Research Council.

For more information about participating in this trial email: diabetes.research@health.wa.gov.au

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About the Children’s Diabetes Centre

The Children's Diabetes Centre, based at the Telethon Kids Institute, is the only paediatric research centre of its kind in Australia and aims to improve the lives of children with Type 1 Diabetes. In WA, about 120 children are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes every year, and the number is increasing.

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that is triggered by the immune system attacking the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 is a non-preventable disease — the exact cause is not known and there is no cure.

The Children's Diabetes Centre's uniquely holistic research program incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, therapies and education that are all aimed at improving the quality of life for young people with Type 1 Diabetes. The Centre was established in 2015 by a Centre for Research Excellence grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council and JDRF Australia. Visit www.childrensdiabetescentre.org.au for more information.

About Telethon Kids Institute

The Telethon Kids Institute is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia, comprising a dedicated and diverse team of more than 500 staff and students. We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.

The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.

Telethon Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants.  We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organisation funding Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Staff and volunteers in eight countries are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and JDRF’s vision of a world without T1D. For more information, visit www.jdrf.org.au.