By Stacy Lee
City of Hope in Duarte has been successful with a new clinical trial that could be a major step in curing Type 1 diabetes.
The trial uses an immune suppression strategy in islet cell transplantation. Islet cells are collections of cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making the hormone insulin.
“We are one of only a few islet cell transplant programs in the country,” said Fouad Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Clinical Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at City of Hope, who is leading the islet cell transplantation trial. “This trial, in addition to providing a much needed potential cure for patients with severe Type 1 diabetes, will also be vital in opening the door to other major planned studies to address the medical needs of these patients.”
Gina Marchini of Palmer, Alaska had the trial procedure on July 10 at City of Hope. The 33-year-old teacher is now insulin-free for the first time in 24 years. “I thought there was no way around it without my insulin shots, but now, after checking my blood sugar levels every two hours for days on end with results in the nondiabetic range, I’m starting to believe I’m free,” she said.
Marchini said having Type 1 diabetes affected every part of her life – emotionally and physically. She said she found City of Hope when she was looking for clinical trials.
“I thought, ‘If this is something that’s going to change to my life, why not do it,’” Marchini said.
Susan Weinberg of Los Angeles also had the islet cell transplantation at City of Hope. “It not only changed my life, it saved my life,” she said. “It gave me quality of life.”
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