Phase 2 Trial Investigates Novel Procedure to Control Type 2 Diabetes
If successful, the new procedure may arrest disease progression and allow patients to stay off diabetes medication or insulin
LOS ANGELES, CA — Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body does not produce or effectively use insulin. A lack of insulin leads to raised blood glucose levels, which can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and other severe complications.
Out of more than 37 million Americans who have diabetes, approximately 90–95 percent have type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a new outpatient, nonsurgical endoscopic procedure in stabilizing blood glucose levels in patients.
“Currently, the only treatment for diabetes not managed with lifestyle changes are oral medications or, in the case of advanced disease, insulin injections—both of which can be costly or have side effects,” said Luke Putnam, MD, lead investigator of the clinical trial and a gastrointestinal surgeon with Keck Medicine. “If this therapy is proven effective, it could eliminate the need for medication or insulin, or potentially prevent disease progression so it does not lead to organ failure and other debilitating conditions.”
How does the new procedure being trialed work?
This innovative procedure is designed for patients before they require insulin and targets the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine that works with the pancreas to regulate insulin and blood glucose levels.
Recent data suggests the duodenum plays an important role in glucose regulation, and in patients with T2D, it was found that the cells lining the duodenum become damaged.
The clinical trial is testing a device inserted via an endoscope into the duodenum that ablates the poorly functioning cells through precise, controlled electrical pulses. The study researchers hypothesize that ablating the damaged cells will promote the regrowth of healthy cells, which will better regulate blood glucose levels.
The procedure takes about an hour and is done under general anesthetic. Patients are discharged the same day and can continue normal activities a few days later. “Previous studies have shown that ablation of cells in the duodenum is effective in controlling blood sugar levels, so we are optimistic this study will produce successful results,” said Putnam.
Clinical trial participant, Mark Canning, a 60-year-old Los Angeles resident, diagnosed with T2D in 2015, is seeing progress in blood glucose control since undergoing the procedure in January 2023. “My blood sugar levels are falling, and I am feeling very encouraged,” he said.
The clinical trial is currently enrolling new patients. To qualify for the study, patients must be between the ages of 22 and 65 years and have a history of T2D between three and 10 years. Participants can be on oral medications but not insulin. Those interested in participating in the study should contact Christian Romero at christian.romero@med.usc.edu.
- This press release was originally published on the University of Southern California’s Health Sciences website