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Research and innovative therapies at the MUHC

Two million Canadians have diabetes, which either occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes: most common in children) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (type 2 diabetes: most common in overweight adults). Ten per cent of Canadians with diabetes have type 1; 90 per cent have type 2.

At the MUHC, clinicians and researchers are working to address both type 1 and type 2 diabetes with several unique treatment programs.

Montreal Children's Hospital: Pediatric Insulin Pump Centre

"We treat close to 500 youngsters, most of them with type 1 diabetes," says Dr. Laurent Legault, head of the Diabetes Clinic at the Children's Pediatric Insulin Pump Centre. "About 15 per cent of these children are using insulin pumps."

Insulin pumps constantly monitor and control users' blood glucose levels, allowing much better control of diabetes than traditional insulin injections. Major studies have shown improved diabetes control reduces the risk of serious complications in later life.

"The increasing use of insulin pumps reflects the trend towards more intensive treatment for diabetes," says Dr. Legault. "We are also using new types of insulin. These have the potential to improve both quality of life and control.

"The Centre is unique in the pediatric field in Quebec. It's been officially open since 2005, but we've been working in the area since 2000. In addition to treating children, our team of experts helps other centres develop their own programs."

In an ideal world, type 1 diabetes would be prevented altogether. The Children's is also involved with research into diabetes prevention. "We're the only centre in Quebec involved in TrialNet, a large research initiative with the goal of preventing type 1 diabetes," Dr. Legault says. "People with diabetic family members can be tested to determine their risk. Based on their test results, we can suggest prevention strategies to help slow down or prevent the development of diabetes."

Advanced research into type 2 diabetes

The adult hospitals of the MUHC are also doing advanced research into diabetes. "For example, we're working on regrowing insulin-producing cells in the lab for transplantation into people with diabetes," says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, A.G. Thompson Chair of Surgical Research at the MUHC and professor of Surgery and Medicine at 香蕉视频. "These transplanted cells may enable the bodies of people with diabetes to produce at least some insulin, reducing the amount of treatment required.

"We're also testing a new drug therapy which induces the growth of insulin-producing cells," says Dr. Rosenberg. "The drug is based on a protein normally found in the pancreas. We have completed several human trials, and results so far are promising. This therapy also has potential to vastly improve diabetes treatment."

Despite advances in treatment, the majority of type 2 diabetes patients are still treated with either insulin injections, insulin-sensitizing drugs or a combination of these two therapies. "We need to do more to prevent type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Rosenberg. "The root causes of the diabetes epidemic are lack of physical activity and poor eating habits. As a society, we need to do more to address these issues in a coordinated fashion."

There is now overwhelming evidence that regular physical activity, weight loss and adherence to a sensible diet can greatly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

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