Living without limits: Study involving Weyburn man offers hope to Type 1 diabetes patients

For many people, being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes can be life-changing. The incurable disease sees the immune system attack and destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As a result, those living with the disease need to closely monitor glucose levels, and regularly inject insulin, or rely on an insulin pump.  

The discovery of insulin, by Frederick Banting, Charles Best and John Macleod, was a monumental event in medical history. It revolutionized how diabetes could be treated, and is credited with saving thousands, if not millions, of lives.  

Today, people across the nation still live with the disease, but thanks to the advances, it is manageable. Work, though, has continued on a potential cure for a hundred years, and it appears a breakthrough could be on the horizon.  

A research team at BCDiabetes in Vancouver, working with the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes and the University of British Columbia, has been conducting a clinical trial with a prescription drug that has been effective in treating autoimmune diseases such as colitis and arthritis.  

“We’re doing a study using a medication, or experimental medication, called Ustekinumab,” explained Dr. Tom Elliott. He is the lead of the research team. “We are using this drug to see if we can stop people with newly diagnosed diabetes from having to take insulin.” 

Dr. Tom Elliott is leading the research team in Vancouver looking into the effectiveness of Ustekinumab in treating Type 1 diabetes. (supplied photo)

One of those who took part in the initial study is Weyburn’s Bailey Novak. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He volunteered for the study shortly after he was first diagnosed with the disease.  

“My mom, she had found it online, and got me in contact with Dr. Elliott, and ended up getting me into it back in... It would have been March of 2021,” Novak said.  

While it isn’t known as of yet if Novak was part of the placebo group or not in the blind trials, he has noticed one thing since he started the study. 

“I have nothing but great things to say,” Novak related about the participation in the study. “I haven’t had to really take much insulin at all. I just take it once a day, and I haven’t had to increase it since I’ve been finishing the study.” 

While Novak has wrapped up his participation in the study, the work isn’t over just yet. Dr. Elliott noted they are still looking for participants in the study. They need 17 more people between the ages of 18 and 35, who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the last 2 ½ months.  

“We will fly them in either to Vancouver or to Toronto to take part in the study,” Elliott clarified about the process. “Their travel and accommodation will be covered by the sponsor, which is the JDRF, a wonderful diabetes charity for those of you who are thinking of giving.” 

Novak encouraged those who have recently been diagnosed and fit within the age guidelines to consider signing up for the study.  

“I would say go for it. I don’t see any negative in doing it. There’s a chance that you could go through without having to take insulin for a while, and help with the science advancing here in the future for everybody else that gets diagnosed.” 

Novak isn’t the only participant in the study so far who has had a life-changing experience. Caiden Ellice, a 28-year-old from Calgary, was diagnosed in 2021 as well and is currently insulin-free. 

“When I was first diagnosed it felt like the end of the world,” said Caiden. “Now, I live without the constant worry of insulin dependence. Research like this offers hope for a cure and is cause for optimism for those managing diabetes.” 

Canada has long been at the forefront of research into diabetes and treatments for it, dating back to Banting, Best and Macleod’s discovery in 1921 that resulted in them receiving the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1923. However, Elliott is quick to deflect any comparisons, as he pointed out there is a myriad of projects here in Canada underway.  

"Everybody knows what it is to have cruise control on a car,” the doctor said to make an analogy. “Well, you can have cruise control with Type 1 diabetes. You can have an insulin pump that is controlled by an app on your phone that’s taking a continuous reading of glucose from your CGM (continuous glucose monitor).” 

The goal is a cure for diabetes, and Elliott is a firm believer that there is potential for a cure. There is some work underway to try to grow the clusters of insulin-producing cells, called islets, and then transplant them into someone’s body to take over the production of insulin. Combined with the treatment with ustekinumab, which is marketed under the brand name Stolara, there is a lot of promise. 

“This is all happening, and Canada is leading the way,” Elliott continued.  

For Novak, the participation in the study has taken what was initially a concerned approach to a much more optimistic outlook. 

“I remember that day,” he said, recalling when he got the diagnosis. “It was full of emotions about getting diagnosed with it, just knowing what I’d have to have later in life, but yeah, this just offered a glimpse of hope about it, and I’ve had nothing but good things about it really since I’ve been on it.” 

Dr. Elliott and Novak were both expressive about one thing – taking part in a study like this is about more than just getting treatment for yourself.  

“It’s altruism,” Elliott stated. “They’re giving their time and their energy. They’re not expecting to be cured, so they’re typically very upbeat people.” He continued that those who take part hope they can benefit, but know that even if they don’t the lessons learned from the study will help many, many others.  

“It’s a great feeling knowing that you can help to advance the science further, and hopefully in the future, we can use this to help newly diagnose people with diabetes,” Novak added.  

Those who wish to take part in the study need to be between the ages of 18 and 35 and have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes within the past 100 days. To see if you can participate, you can call 604-683-3734, or reach out via email at info@bcdiabetes.ca. 

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