New treatment for type 1 diabetes being piloted in clinical trial

Researchers are looking at a new treatment for reducing the amount of times a person needs to take insulin for type 1 diabtes.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition resulting in a person's blood sugar level rising to a high level and while manageable, can require a lot of effort.
A trial is now in progress to ascertain whether a radical form of treatment can cut down the amount of insulin treatment that a sufferer needs to administer.
Ultimately, researchers from Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Wellcome Trust-funded Cambridge Institute for Medical Research at the University of Cambridge, would like to see it reduced to once or twice a week.
"Type 1 diabetes is a potentially very serious disease that requires lifelong treatment and regular insulin injections throughout the day," said Dr Frank Waldron-Lynch from the University of Cambridge, who is leading the clinical trial.
"Our aim is to use aldesleukin to rebalance the immune system so that patients can significantly reduce the number of insulin injections needed to just once or twice a week by slowing the progression of the disease."
People with Type 1 diabetes are required to maintain balanced blood glucose levels, which can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise.