Of Mice and Men
Dr. Denise Faustman raised eyebrows in 2003 when she announced curing type 1 diabetes in mice by short-circuiting the autoimmune attack responsible for wiping out insulin-producing beta cells. And when major cure-focused non-profits eschewed her research in favor of funding more "promising" techniques like islet cell transplant, philanthropist Lee Iacocca stepped up to the plate and began a nationwide campaign to further Faustman's work.
But now the non-profits and the NIH may just sit up and take notice. In the current issue of Science, not just one but three separate studies confirm that Faustman's technique works - at least in mice. It's important to remember that it's a big leap from animal studies to human success, and the new research did not confirm that new beta cell growth came from spleen cells, as Faustman had previously hypothesized. Still, the new studies boost her case for a potential type 1 diabetes cure without the need for transplant.
Meanwhile, Faustman and colleague Dr. David Nathan continue their work at Massachusetts General Hospital, with a phase I human clinical trial planned for 2007. Now that the story is making headline news across the country, it will be interesting to see where the money goes in the ongoing search for a cure.
MY WIFE HAS HEEL SPURS BAD AND THAT THEY SAY BEING SHE IS DIABETE. THEY CANNOT CUT THEM OFF SO HOW CAN SHE GET THEM TAKEN OFF HER FEET CAUSE THEY HURT HER BAD. PLEASE HELP US ON THIS. SHE IS 61 NOW. THANK YOU.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX