Previously we released a report that stated that from a list of 300 current projects that are underway in the type 1 field, only 35 of them investigate a possible cure for type 1 diabetes. That number was small on its own, but after further analysis, we have confirmed that only 5 of them could potentially meet the JDCA’s definition of a Practical Cure.
As a reminder, our Practical Cure definition is:
• For at least 1 year, a cure must:
– Not require blood glucose monitoring beyond once a week
– Not require carb counting
– Not restrict a patient’s diet
– Allow patients to sleep care free
– Keep A1c levels between 6-7
• A cure must be delivered through a treatment that:
– If it is surgical, requires a full recovery of less than 72 hours
– If it is pharmacological, requires no more than a reasonable pill and/or injection regimen
• A cure, which may include a drug regimen, must not have side effects or pose longer term risks greater than current complications of type 1
What this means is that only an extremely small percentage of donor contributions to the four major type 1 foundations is used to fund research in clinical trials that has the potential to deliver a Practical Cure. The vast majority of the money the JDRF, ADA, DRIF and Joslin raise through inspirational cure fundraisers does not go into fighting for a cure in our lifetime.
Read our full report here.
Some important conclusions will have to be made about where we are currently headed in the search for a cure based on this information. But more significantly, we must think about how we can change this progress.
– Stoyan
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