Watch dLifeTV
The Reality of a Cure
Q: So do you think there will be a cure? What do you think about Dr. Faustman’s research? Any hope? Or just another trial that you hear about starting, but you never hear about it finishing?
A: Chris,
I honestly don't know what to think anymore about a cure. I have been hearing about a cure since I was first diagnosed in 1970. I agree with you that you hear about it starting and then you never hear about it finishing. That's why my approach to my diabetes has always been to manage it and manage it and manage it. But it'd be great not to have to manage it and manage it and manage it, wouldn't it?
I don't really go crazy following very much of the cure research. I do keep in touch with a group of moms of kids with diabetes who are very connected to the Faustman research. They send me updates. I have to say it sounds very promising but again, will we hear about it finishing? Don't know.
This is what one of the moms sent me when I emailed her with your question about this.
Jim,
First, I have to comment that the word 'cure" has been so improperly overused for such a long time that people don't believe in it anymore or are now very skeptical towards any project that states that it may lead to a real cure. When you look at the research in animals and humans in the past there hasn't really been any project to back up the words "we're close to a cure" based on its research data.
Dr. Faustman's research is the first sign of hope for curing type I diabetes. It is the first research project to reverse and cure diabetes in the animal model ( NOD mice) at "end-stage" disease. It is also a project that is attempting a treatment using a readily available, cost-effective, and most importantly, safe substance so that if it does work, it will be available to the public quickly. It most definitely has the research data to back up the words "this could lead to curing type I diabetes in the near future".
The Faustman project is the first one attempting to reverse the underlying autoimmune disease leading to a cure in people who have been living with the disease for many years (not just a prevention vaccine for those at risk or a treatment just for those who are early diagnosed).
The phase I human trial is planned to start as early as January 2008 and that is expected to take 12-18 months.
The Faustman human trial project has been solely funded by private philanthropy efforts and will finish as long as the efforts continue.
Hope it helps!
Sue
So Chris, I would say keep your hopes up but ‘til then, keep testing.