Lucy Lee is the first person to take part in the BANDIT clinical trial, which began at the Royal Melbourne Hospital this month.
The Melbourne led clinical trial is looking at whether a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could protect insulin- producing cells from immune attack. The two year trial will monitor individuals aged 12-30 years old – like Lucy – who have been diagnosed with the disease in the last 100 days.
Those living with type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin injections to regulate their glucose levels. The hope for BANDIT is to allow individuals, like Lucy to be able to produce insulin for a longer period of time and to improve overall glucose control.
Lucy will attend monthly appointments at RMH to receive the 12 month trial dosage. Moving into the second and final stage of BANDIT, she’ll be required to attend two follow-up appointments to monitor her glucose and other blood levels.
“This is a great opportunity for Australian researchers and trial participants,” RMH Diabetes and Endocrinology A/Prof John Wentworth says.
“For the first time ever, we will be able to determine if this tablet can be used to treat type 1 diabetes.”
Led by St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, the Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of three hospitals participating in the type 1 diabetes clinical trial.
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