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| Artificial pancreas diabetes hope | Artificial pancreas diabetes hope |
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| Scientists in Cambridge have shown that an "artificial pancreas" can be used to regulate blood sugar in children with Type 1 diabetes. | Scientists in Cambridge have shown that an "artificial pancreas" can be used to regulate blood sugar in children with Type 1 diabetes. |
| A trial found that combining a "real time" sensor measuring glucose levels with a pump that delivers insulin can boost overnight blood sugar control. | A trial found that combining a "real time" sensor measuring glucose levels with a pump that delivers insulin can boost overnight blood sugar control. |
| The Lancet study showed the device significantly cut the risk of blood sugar levels dropping dangerously low. | The Lancet study showed the device significantly cut the risk of blood sugar levels dropping dangerously low. |
| Experts said the results were an important "step forward". | Experts said the results were an important "step forward". |
| Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life threatening condition, in which the pancreas does not produce insulin - the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. | Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life threatening condition, in which the pancreas does not produce insulin - the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. |
| We need to redouble our efforts to move the artificial pancreas from a concept in the clinic to a reality in the home of children and adults with Type 1 diabetes Karen Addington, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 'Pump has been really liberating' | We need to redouble our efforts to move the artificial pancreas from a concept in the clinic to a reality in the home of children and adults with Type 1 diabetes Karen Addington, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 'Pump has been really liberating' |
| In total, 17 children and teenagers with Type 1 diabetes took part in the study over 54 nights in hospital. | In total, 17 children and teenagers with Type 1 diabetes took part in the study over 54 nights in hospital. |
| Individually, the glucose monitoring system and the insulin pump used in the study are both already widely used and commercially available. | Individually, the glucose monitoring system and the insulin pump used in the study are both already widely used and commercially available. |
| But in order to turn them into a "closed loop" system which monitors the patient's condition and delivers treatment accordingly, the researchers developed a sophisticated algorithm to calculate the appropriate amount of insulin to deliver based on the real-time glucose readings. | But in order to turn them into a "closed loop" system which monitors the patient's condition and delivers treatment accordingly, the researchers developed a sophisticated algorithm to calculate the appropriate amount of insulin to deliver based on the real-time glucose readings. |
| They then measured how well the artificial pancreas system controlled glucose levels compared with the children's regular continuous pump, which delivers insulin at preselected rates. | They then measured how well the artificial pancreas system controlled glucose levels compared with the children's regular continuous pump, which delivers insulin at preselected rates. |
| Low blood sugar | Low blood sugar |
| Testing was done in different circumstances - for example on nights when the children went to bed after eating a large evening meal, which can lead to 'insulin stacking' or having done early evening exercise - both of which can increase the risk of low blood sugar episodes known as hypoglycaemic attacks or "hypos". | |
| 1 - Continuous glucose sensor monitors blood sugar level2 - Data transmitted for the computer programme to work out insulin dose3 - Insulin pump delivers the dose | 1 - Continuous glucose sensor monitors blood sugar level2 - Data transmitted for the computer programme to work out insulin dose3 - Insulin pump delivers the dose |
| Overall, the results showed the artificial pancreas kept blood glucose levels in the normal range for 60% of the time, compared with 40% for the continuous pump. | Overall, the results showed the artificial pancreas kept blood glucose levels in the normal range for 60% of the time, compared with 40% for the continuous pump. |
| And the artificial pancreas halved the time that blood glucose levels fell below 3.9mmol/l - the level considered as mild hypoglycaemia. | And the artificial pancreas halved the time that blood glucose levels fell below 3.9mmol/l - the level considered as mild hypoglycaemia. |
| It also prevented blood glucose falling below 3.0mmol/l, which is defined as significant hypoglycaemia, compared with nine hypoglycaemia events in the control groups. | It also prevented blood glucose falling below 3.0mmol/l, which is defined as significant hypoglycaemia, compared with nine hypoglycaemia events in the control groups. |
| Study leader Dr Roman Hovorka said: "This is the first randomised study showing the potential benefit of the artificial pancreas system overnight using commercially-available sensors and pumps. | Study leader Dr Roman Hovorka said: "This is the first randomised study showing the potential benefit of the artificial pancreas system overnight using commercially-available sensors and pumps. |
| "Our study provides a stepping stone for testing the system at home." | "Our study provides a stepping stone for testing the system at home." |
| Karen Addington, chief executive of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, who funded the research said the study provided "proof of principle" of an artificial pancreas. | Karen Addington, chief executive of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, who funded the research said the study provided "proof of principle" of an artificial pancreas. |
| "We need to redouble our efforts to move the artificial pancreas from a concept in the clinic to a reality in the home of children and adults with type 1 diabetes." | "We need to redouble our efforts to move the artificial pancreas from a concept in the clinic to a reality in the home of children and adults with type 1 diabetes." |
| Dr Victoria King, research manager at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This is an important step forward in managing overnight blood glucose levels as well as in the eventual development of a full 'artificial pancreas' which could vastly improve the quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes and reduce the risk of the associated complications." | Dr Victoria King, research manager at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: "This is an important step forward in managing overnight blood glucose levels as well as in the eventual development of a full 'artificial pancreas' which could vastly improve the quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes and reduce the risk of the associated complications." |