April 2008 eUpdate
Research News
ISLET TRANSPLANTATION CONTINUES TO PROGRESS AT UCSF Significant progress has been made in the past several years in improving the results of pancreatic islet transplantation for type 1 diabetics. Here at UCSF, we are very pleased with our success rate using a new enzyme that has helped to ensure islet viability through the transplant process. Through the international Clinical Islet Transplant (CIT) Consortium, we are pursuing studies that will involve two sets of patients – those who have not been transplanted previously, and those who have received a kidney transplant and now have normal kidney function. In addition, we are conducting a single-center JDRF trial using new immunosuppressive agents that do not have the side effects of traditional anti-rejection drugs. These agents – Raptiva and Belatacept – have been effective in preventing islet rejection, and, in the case of Raptiva, a high percentage of patients achieve insulin independence after only one infusion. If you or a loved one have type 1 diabetes and have experienced poor glucose control despite intensive insulin therapy, we hope you’ll contact us to learn more about these studies: 415-353-8893; islettransplant@ucsfmedctr.org [more]
DIABETES CENTER VETERAN MOVES ON YET NOT BEFORE ANNOUNCING PROMISING THYROID RESEARCH RESULTS After being involved in diabetes and endocrine research at UCSF for nearly 40 years – a distinguished career that includes the breakthrough cloning of the growth hormone gene and first synthesis of growth hormone, the development of the UCSF Diabetes Center, the presidency of the Endocrine Society, and election to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences – you’d think John Baxter, MD would be ready to focus on his love of fishing. Instead of retirement, Dr. Baxter has embraced a new opportunity – developing the diabetes center and genomic medicine programs at Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston. As his last hurrah at UCSF, Dr. Baxter and his colleagues published in the respected journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS ), the first human clinical data involving a novel thyroid hormone-like compound – KB2115. This compound lowers levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol without the adverse cardiac effects often found with classic thyroid hormone therapies. If the current Phase IIb study continues to show that KB2115 is safe and effective in lowering cholesterol, expect to see new drugs to emerge as alternatives and/or adjunct therapies to today’s widely prescribed statin drugs. Dr. Baxter, we wish you continued success with your research, and we thank you for your years of dedicated leadership. [more]
DIABETES PREVENTION STUDY COVERED BY LOCAL NEWS In January, ABC Affiliate KGO of San Francisco interviewed UCSF pediatric endocrinologist Stephen Rosenthal, MD concerning a study to help assess how a dietary supplement might prevent type 1 diabetes in high-risk infants. The NIH TrialNet sponsored, multi-center study, Nutritional Intervention to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes (NIP), is exploring how an omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic (DHA) -- a natural ingredient found in mother’s breast milk and in various foods -- might prevent a child from destroying its beta cells and developing type 1 diabetes. [view video]
Clinical News
RESPECTED PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGIST REJOINS UCSF TEAM In January, former UCSF endocrinology fellow, Saleh Adi, MD, returned to UCSF – this time as the Associate Director of Clinical Pediatrics and the Director of Pediatric Diabetes Outpatient Services. Educated in Syria, Dr. Adi completed residencies at both the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) and at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. In 1997, he came to UCSF as a pediatric endocrine fellow and trained in both the pediatric and adult diabetes clinics. After completing his education and training, Dr. Adi joined the faculty of CPMC where he served as Medical Director of the Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Program – providing care for over a thousand children with diabetes. Loved by the children he treats and their families, Dr. Adi has been known to go out of his way to provide “beyond the call” support. You’ll often find Dr. Adi, his wife and daughter attending various diabetes programs in the community. In addition to his new roles at UCSF, Dr. Adi serves as a board member of the Greater Bay Area Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Please join us in welcoming back Dr. Adi to UCSF! [more]
ANNUAL DIABETES PATIENT SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19 – MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND! In its 30th year of providing diabetes education and support, the UCSF Diabetes Teaching Center is holding its annual Adult Diabetes Patient Symposium on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the UCSF Laurel Heights Campus (3333 California Street). Topics include: “Curing Type 1 Diabetes ”; “Continuous Glucose Monitoring ”; “Tools for Coping with Diabetes ”; “Why We Can’t Lose Weight ”; “Diabetes Medicines – Are They Safe ?” A continental breakfast and a comprehensive symposium syllabus are included in the fee ($25 per person; $35 per family of two). For more information: 415-353-2266; marina.demetsky@ucsfmedctr.org [view flyer]
DIABETES EDUCATION ONLINE (DEO) HELPING OTHERS A new educational website launched last fall is already providing critically important diabetes education for individuals with diabetes and their family members. “The positive responses we are receiving are exceeding our expectations”, stated Martha Nolte, MD, Clinical Director of the Diabetes Teaching Center. The type 1 section of UCSF Diabetes Education Online (DEO) is available at www.deo.ucsf.edu, and, within months, the portion focused on type 2 diabetes will also go live. [more]
Notes & News
PROMISING TYPE 1 DRUG SPOTLIGHTED IN RECENT ISSUE OF FORBES Even the popular press is excited about recent developments involving anti-CD3, a potential type 1 therapy with strong ties to UCSF. In a recent issue of FORBES Magazine, senior editor Robert Langreth reveals the long history of anti-CD3 -- a monoclonal antibody that stops beta cell destruction. In late 2007, history was made when two pharmaceutical companies entered into global alliances to develop and commercialize anti-CD3 drug therapies to treat and potentially to prevent type 1diabetes: Eli Lilly and MacroGenics are developing teplizumab, and GlaxoSmithKline and Tolerx are developing otelixizumab. Of special significance – anti-CD3 may be the first exclusively type 1 diabetes treatment to progress this far in drug development. [ view article ]
CLINICIAN/RESEARCHER AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH GRANT Diabetes Center faculty member Mark Anderson, MD, PhD was one of only thirteen physicians awarded the Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research this year by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. This program supports established physician-scientists dedicated to translational “bench to bedside” research by providing grants of $750,000 over five years. Not only do these grants help to strengthen the connection between basic science in the lab to patient care in the clinic, they help to mentor and train the next generation of physician-scientists skilled in translational research. Besides seeing adult patients with diabetes in the UCSF Adult Clinic, Dr. Anderson continues to be a rising star in the field of human autoimmunity and immune tolerance. Early in his career, Dr. Anderson discovered the AIRE gene that appears to protect against autoimmunity by helping immune cells to learn how to recognize and avoid attacking the body’s own tissue. [more]
UCSF PHYSICIAN AUTHORS BOOK, “DIABETES DEMYSTIFIED” Last fall, McGraw-Hill published “Diabetes DeMystified: A Self-Teaching Guide” , written by UCSF adult endocrinologist and clinical researcher, Umesh Masharani, M.D. This easy-to-understand guide helps you and your loved ones incorporate diabetes care into your daily life without feeling overwhelmed. More information on Dr. Masharani’s book can be found on Amazon. [ more ]
Clinical Trials
The Diabetes Center at UCSF is among the premier institutions for clinical trials of emerging therapies in diabetes. Numerous clinical trials in type 1 and 2 diabetes are now underway.
Interested in participating ? A sample of our trials currently enrolling patients:
Type 1 Diabetes: HOKT3Y1(Ala-Ala)/Anti-CD3 Intervention Study Seeking volunteers, 8 to 30 years of age, within 12 months of diagnosis [ more ]
Type 1 Diabetes: Teplizumab (HOKT3Y1 (Ala-Ala)) [Protégé Study] Seeking volunteers 18 to 35 years of age, within 12 weeks of diagnosis [ more ]
Type 1 Diabetes: TrialNet Natural History Study [Antibody Screening] Seeking relatives of people with type 1 diabetes to find out if these family members are at risk for developing diabetes [ more ]
Type 2 Diabetes: Paleolithic-Type Diets and Metabolic Control Seeking volunteers 18 and older, with type 2 diabetes [ more ]
Non-Diabetics: Alpha Lipoic Acid and Insulin Resistance Seeking volunteers 20 to 60 years of age [ more ]
Non-Diabetics: Chromium and Insulin Resistance Seeking volunteers 20 to 50 years of age, not exercising regularly and of normal body weight [ more ]
For more opportunities, visit the Clinical Trials section of our website , or contact Kathleen Fraser, our Clinical Trials Recruitment Coordinator at kfraser@diabetes.ucsf.edu.