[kstreeter513]

I frequently get information via email, from LCT. They have developed a way to encapsulate porcine islet cells and inject them into type 1's, for a way to cure type 1 diabetes wothout the need for immunosuppresent drugs. It is in phase I/IIa HUMAN clinical trials, and I recieved the following update from them today:

"May 8, 2008 - Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand - Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX: LCT; OTC:LVCLY.PK) today announced that Australian television Channel Ten News will feature the Company's world first islet cell treatment being developed for insulin dependent diabetes on its news segment between 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm this evening.


The news segment will include Professor Bob Elliott, LCT's Medical Director, recounting LCT�s therapeutic approach of using encapsulated porcine insulin producing cells, DiabeCell�, and an interview with Michael Helyer, the world�s first patient to be implanted with a prototype of DiabeCell�. Ten years following his treatment, porcine insulin was detected in Mr Helyer's blood after an oral glucose dose, indicating that the cells were still alive and functioning.



LCT has further developed DiabeCell� as a new way of delivering insulin for people not able to produce insulin themselves. The news program will highlight the remarkable observation that with the new DiabeCell�, a patient suffering from type 1 diabetes for 15 years and enrolled in a continuing Phase I/IIa clinical trial of DiabeCell�, has been able to stop insulin injections for 5 months after a first dose, which was given without any immunosuppressive drugs � something not previously possible. Promising interim results from this ongoing Phase I/IIa clinical trial were announced by the Company on March 31, 2008 at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Congress in Wellington, New Zealand, and the NZBio Conference in Auckland, New Zealand.


A web link to the program will be accessible on the Living Cell Technology website from tomorrow afternoon (www.lctglobal.com)"

I was wondering if anyone in Australia saw this. Very exciting news. I will post more info as I receive it. Just wanted to share this.

[BlueSky]

It certainly looks promising. The initial trials in Auckland and the recent trials in Russia have been encouraging. I think the biggest hurdle now is bureaucratic red tape. Bob Elliot is waiting for final approval to start the next phase of trials with six patients here in Auckland. This is a form of xenotransplantation and the retro virus risk is a big issue. There has been a lot of debate on it and it seemed like everything had been sorted out, but the minister of health is dragging his heals on giving his approval. It is an election year here and it looks like there will be a change of government, so I don't expect anything to happen soon. LCT might try and shift the trials to the US, but I suspect there will be complications there too.

[Gordonm]

If it works it will take the FDA 10 years to even think about approving it.

[Nick3501]

If it works the FDA will find a reason NOT to approve it...too much lost money. Ill just move to Australia In north America we like to cure diseases in mice, not people. its good for public karma!

[shiftzor]

Originally Posted by Gordonm

If it works it will take the FDA 10 years to even think about approving it.

A cure is worth waiting for I would rather they got it right than rushing it.

Originally Posted by Nick3501

If it works the FDA will find a reason NOT to approve it...too much lost money. Ill just move to Australia In north America we like to cure diseases in mice, not people. its good for public karma!

At which point we will all go underground and go to Iraq or somewhere to get our DiabeCells.

Sounds very promising, only time will tell.

[ant hill]

I went looking for the vodcast of CH10's news as I was so interested in this story. I know that CH9 has the vodcasts but not ten unfortunely.
We are so close to a cure as I beleve that the islets cells is the only thing that needs attention. If there is a sucsess in that then what's stopping curing us.

[kstreeter513]

Originally Posted by ant hill

I went looking for the vodcast of CH10's news as I was so interested in this story. I know that CH9 has the vodcasts but not ten unfortunely.
We are so close to a cure as I beleve that the islets cells is the only thing that needs attention. If there is a sucsess in that then what's stopping curing us.

I'm with you anthill. I am trying to remain positive. I know the FDA drags their feet, but I will travel wherever I have to go outside the US if a cure is out there.