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Media Backgrounder
September 2013
20 Years of T1D research progress thanks to Walk to Cure Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune disease that destroys the ability to produce insulin,
which is vital for life. T1D requires a daily regime of multiple injections or continuous infusion of insulin
through a pump, as well as 6 – 8 finger-prick blood tests, just to stay alive.
Researchers are working hard to understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors
that may cause or trigger this disease. Unlike Type 2 diabetes however, it is certain that going on a diet
or cutting down on sugar doesn’t stop T1D.
JDRF is the world leading not-for-profit supporter of type 1 diabetes research globally, investing more
than $1.6 billion since 1970, including more than $63 million into Australian research.
Since Walk to Cure Diabetes began in Australia in 1993, the event has raised over $28 million. It creates
a great opportunity to generate awareness of the disease and raise funds to support research to cure,
treat and prevent T1D.
Walk to Cure Diabetes 2013 marks 20 years of research progress for T1D. Key research achievements
are as follows:
1990s
- First successful transplant of human islet cells reverses insulin dependence in patients
- JDRF establishes the first JDRF Centre for Islet Transplantation, at Harvard Medical School
- The 10 year Diabetes Control and Complication trial showed that tight glucose control can reduce the
risk of developing diabetes-related complications
- Scientists identify new techniques for earlier diagnoses if complications and new drug therapies for
delaying progression of diabetes-related kidney and eye disease
2000s
- The success rate of islet transplantation is improved from less than 5% to 90%
- New technologies emerge for the encapsulation of beta cells to protect them from immune attack
- A first generation Artificial Pancreas is produced and successfully trialed in patients
- A drug targeting the immune system is shown to preserve insulin production for several years in people
newly diagnosed with T1D
- Research shows that insulin itself is a key target in the autoimmune attack on beta cells
Over 50 genes and genetic regions are identified as the genetic basis for T1D
Recent advances
- JDRF-supported companies are translating research for access to beta cell encapsulation therapies
- Beta cell stress is identified as a potential new path for curing T1D
- Successful real-world testing of the artificial pancreas system across the world is slowly making the
therapy a reality for people with T1D
- The influence of gut bacteria on the progression of T1D is being used to determine a potential strategy
to event T1D in those at risk
- JDRF-supported scientists are testing a vaccine to slow down or stop the progression T1D
For further media information and interviews please contact:
Mandy Campbell, Media & PR Officer, JDRF, tel: (02) 9020 6114, mobile: 0422 929 927 or
[email protected]