Living Cell Technologies - Diabecell

[tyrex]

Hi all, have been looking for a Diabetes forum for ages, didn't spot this one right under my nose!

Anyway, I'm slowly working my way through all the posts - good to see how other Type 1s manage their condition, bearing in mind I have previously had little idea about how others got by, now I see some fascinating similarities and differences in the way we've learned to do things! Anyway, more on this in the future.

In the meantime, something I've been following for a few years is a company called Living Cell Technologies (http://www.lctglobal.com), based in Australia. They are currently clinicially trialling a product known as Diabecell which essentially provides implanted insulin producing cells into Type 1s without the requirement for immunosuppressive drugs, with very interesting (and, trying to avoid the possibility of sounding too upbeat, impressive) trial results so far, and the aim of commercialising the product by around 2010-2012.

Sounds a bit like the holy grail doesn't it! However I've always been sceptical about 'research' projects which in the 20 years I've had T1, have always amounted to nothing. Anyway, I searched the forum for any discussions on this topic and couldn't find anything, so I thought I'd bring it up. I wondered if anyone here had heard of them, had any further information about them, or indeed have any thoughts over the technology?

 

[timo2]

Hello tyrex,

I think both LCT and MicroIslet are both developing products along the same lines.
A little while back, MicroIslet were making a lot of noise about it, although I
understand that LCT are actually further along with their development and trials.

Regards,
timo.

 

[Dennis]

Hi Tyrex and welcome to the forum,
The LCT website makes interesting reading and, as Timo said, they are not the only ones in this particular field of research. However, they have a very long way to go yet. They have only just gained approval for Phase I and Phase II trials to start, and each of these can take years to complete, particularly where the treatment concerned has to be proven not only to be safe but to have a degree of longevity. After previous experiments with porcine islet transplants costing $20,000 - $30,000 each, and providing insulin independence that lasted only a few weeks in most cases, no national health body will now approve such a costly treatment unless it can be clinically proven that the transplant will last for many years rather than mere months.

Then the company has to undertake Phase III trials, which are generally the lengthiest because they have to involve such a large test group. I think the manufacturer's expectations of a 2012 release are probably wildly optimistic.

Having said all that, if successful this would be a wonderful breakthrough which could eradicate Type-1 diabetes. At the risk of being labelled a kill-joy, I don't want anyone to start believing a cure is imminent - 'cos it ain't. That light in the tunnel might just be some guy with a torch!!