Local family helping to change the face of diabetes treatments across Europe!
The Amiss family in Norwich have been living with Type 1 diabetes for many years as dad, Steve, and 6 year old daughter, Kaitlin, both have the condition. Nine year old son, Bailey, has not developed diabetes but has a higher than average risk of doing so as a result of the family history. However, that hasn’t stopped him joining his sister in taking part in vital research which is changing the face of diabetes treatments for the future, not just in this country, but across Europe!
Kaitlin originally joined the BEGIN Insulin trials at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which aimed to test a new type of ‘Degludec’ insulin that could last double the duration of traditional insulin. Following this – with Mum Tina’s ‘OK’ – Bailey became the second member of the family to try to help find better future treatments. Over the course of the following months, Bailey tested an oral insulin drug as part of the Pre-Point study which aimed to reduce the risk of developing diabetes for those who have relatives with the condition.
Bailey’s tests were managed by the research team at the N&N, as were his sister Kaitlin’s, and the results of both have been very positive. Degludec Insulin has now been licensed for use by children in the EU and the Pre-Point oral drug is due to be rolled out for the next stage of testing on a wider group of participants.
However, the Amiss family have already reaped the benefits as Bailey now has a lower chance of developing the condition as a result of the trial. Mum, Tina Amiss said,
“I was over the moon about it. You see, Bailey is autistic and he likes routine, so if he developed diabetes he’d find it hard. For us, to be reassured that the chances of him developing the condition have been lowered is just lovely and he’s so far maintained that lower risk.”
Tina is proud that her family is helping researchers find better treatments and says, she would encourage them to do it again. Tina said, “I would definitely take part in a trial myself, and I’d encourage my family to take part in other trials. Medicine doesn’t advance if you don’t help it advance.”
Dr Nandu Thalange, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist in charge of the two studies at the N&N, highlights the importance of participants like the Amiss family, saying,
“Ground breaking research that’s being carried out at hospitals in the Eastern region is having a huge impact on medical treatments in this country and across the world.
The progress our NHS teams are making wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of incredible participants like Kaitlin and Bailey. We give thanks to them and the thousands of others who are willing to take part in our research to try to give patients of the future a better chance of treatment.”
This year, with the help of Kaitlin, Bailey and others like them, Degludec Insulin has now been licensed for use throughout Europe for children aged between 1 and 17 years and preparation for international phase 3 trials for the Pre-Point study will be happening soon.
Editor’s notes
For more information, filming and interview opportunities please contact:
Emma Jones, Communications and Media Officer, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
E: emma.jones@nnuh.nhs.uk
T: +44 (0)1603 287821
About the NIHR Clinical Research Network
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network is its research delivery arm, providing funding and resources (for example, research nurses) for research so that researchers and clinicians can gather the robust evidence needed to improve treatments for NHS patients. The Clinical Research Network also helps researchers and clinicians ensure their research is relevant, by encouraging patient and public involvement at every stage.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) covers the whole of England and is divided into 15 local networks, each covering a separate geographical area. The NIHR Clinical Research Network: Eastern is hosted by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The host is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of research in Trusts, primary care organisations and other qualified NHS providers across the Eastern area, which covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
To find out more go to www.crn.nihr.ac.uk.