Circumstances of confusion invalidated a Diamyd clinical trial to protect insulin-producing cells in diabetes patients. This confusion amounts to a speed bump, but Diamyd intends to press on.

The company admitted that the Phase II clinical trial of its gene therapy had been botched following a mix up over which patients received the drug and which got placebo. Diamyd is a vaccine based on GAD65, a major factor for diabetes due to an autoimmune reaction. The company designed the vaccine to reduce the need of insulin injections and prevent the destruction of beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Also, by protecting these cells, it may allow them to regenerate in a non-autoimmune environment, and possibly set the stage for a cure of the disease.

Anders Essen-Möller, CEO of Diamyd, said: "Was the drug mixed up? We do not know. Could there be a mix-up at some other times in the study? Yes it is possible, but that is not certain." Essen-Möller is determined not to let the mistake ruin the vaccine's progress towards approval. Essen-Möller also said he believes that the invalidation of the trial will not adversely affect any ongoing meetings with potential partners.

Charity is a beautiful thing. This is especially true for Eugenia "Gene" Dodson, who was a beautician for most of her career. On October 17, 2006 the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center jointly announced the receipt of a $35.6 million gift from the estate of the late Eugenia J. Dodson of Coral Gables. Mrs. Dodson died 24 days before her 101st birthday.

The touching story of Mrs. Dodson's generosity begins with her two brothers, Russell (bottom left) and Raymond (bottom right) Johnson. Both brothers passed away from diabetic complications. Mrs. Dodson survived lung cancer. When her husband and the love of her life, J. Enloe Dodson (top right), passed away he left Gene a modest inheritance. Throughout the past 50 years, she preserved and discreetly grew this money for the purpose of funding research to cure diabetes and cancer.

The DRI Foundation plans to use the gift for a number of cure initiatives. The funding will be used to create the J. Enloe and Eugenia J. Dodson Diabetes Center for Translational Research and establish the Raymond and Russell Johnson Fellowship in Type 1 Diabetes Research. Eugenia's gift represents the single largest donation in the 35 year history of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. In her wake, Mrs. Dodson has strengthened our hopes of someday finding a cure for diabetes. Without question, she has left a beautiful impression on the world.

One of the emerging technologies in diabetes research is gene therapy. Gene therapy involves the treatment of islets to be transplanted. Using gene therapy strategies on islet cells can improve the efficacy of pancreatic islet transplants.

At the Diabetes Research Institute, scientists have made the safety and efficiency of this process their first priority. The DRI is using progressive technology to make islets stronger and to increase their mass. This is in response to the inherent problems associated with transplantation of islets. Learn more about gene therapy from a leading DRI scientist, Elizabeth Fenjves, Ph.D.

Dr. Fenjves' has led this research for the protection of islets in transplantation. Meet and greet with her LIVE on DIABETES talkfest on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 9PM ET

I would like to thank Gina Capone, of DIABETES talkfest, for making this opportunity possible to those of us who are interested in learning more about gene therapy. Happy Birthday Gina!

Upon losing his wife to type I diabetic complications, Mr. Iacocca and his family began a journey to support innovative diabetes research nationwide. Recognizing that medical research is costly, Mr. Iacocca devoted his efforts to providing the funding necessary to keep the most promising diabetes-research projects moving forward. Twenty-two years and over $23 million later, The Iacocca Foundation has supported amazing scientists and helped advance exciting research.

Without evoking the same deer in headlights reaction I flaunted, I'll provide a brief description of a few projects (due, in part, to the fact I am too simple to understand them all in detail). I welcome you to continue reading the full details of all the research projects from the Iacocca Foundation website. Without further adieu, here are a few details on some projects underway:

The Nathan/Faustman Project is preparing for a Human Clinical Trial to stop the autoimmune attack in type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Jerry Nadler is researching the effects of Lisofylline (LSF), a novel small molecule immunomodulator that has been shown to be effective in halting autoimmune damage to pancreatic insulin producing beta cells.

Dr. Chan's project proposes the use of gene therapy to produce new islet cells.

Without question, the Iacocca Foundation has made it possible for these innovative, promising, and undeniably remarkable projects to see their way to fully-funded fruition. Mr. Iacocca, if you have not heard it before, I will say it now: Thank You. On behalf of the diabetic community, I would like to express our appreciation for your tremendous efforts and the priceless gift of hope.

Wow, so much pancreas-related news this week. In addition to the fab discovery (mentioned in my previous blog) that it is possible to apply PET imaging techniques to the pancreas, scientists have also discovered a non-invasive way to deliver insulin-producing genes to the pancreas. The method in question is actually a rather cunning form of gene therapy. It involves "smuggling" insulin-producing genes into the body concealed inside gas-filled micro-bubbles. Such bubbles have been successfully injected into the pancreas of mice, then burst with sound waves, thereby freeing the good genes to do their work protecting the pancreas. The technique is still very much in the experimental phase, but it is nonetheless of great potential importance for diabetics.