Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers have developed a new blood test that can directly measure immune activity involved during the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
T1D occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Over time, so many beta cells are lost that the body can’t make its own insulin anymore.
In the past, we used to think that T1D started when people showed symptoms, like excessive thirst and urination, extreme fatigue, and weight loss. It’s at this point that most people with T1D already require insulin therapy.
However, through years of research, we now know that the condition can start months or even years before symptoms develop, in what we call early-stage or pre-symptomatic T1D. This is when changes are happening in the body and beta cells are slowly being attacked, but insulin therapy is not yet needed.
Importantly, we know there are several benefits of detecting T1D in these early stages including lower levels of the dangerous condition diabetic ketoacidosis and allowing families time to prepare for a clinical diagnosis.
Read more about the stages of T1D and the benefits of early-stage screening.
A new test to uncover what’s happening in the immune system
Diagnosing early-stage T1D is currently done through the detection of autoantibodies in the blood. These autoantibodies indicate that the immune system has already caused damage to beta cells. But what if we could track the immune cells responsible for causing the damage before too much harm is done?
This is what a Breakthrough T1D-funded research team has done. Led by Associate Professor Stuart Mannering from St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, the team has developed a new test called BASTA, which measures the activity of one of the body’s key immune cells, called T cells. The development of this test has been published in Science Translational Medicine.
Of the new test, A/Prof Mannering states:
Previously we’ve been trying to find a leak in a roof, but we’ve only been able to measure the puddles on the floor – seeing the results of the damage that is underway. Our new blood test should help us to identify where the water is coming from.
This means that the BASTA test is able to detect the immune response during T1D development, and not just the damage the immune system has left on beta cells.
Benefits of the new BATSA test
This test has been long sought after by doctors, as it allows them to monitor the progression of T1D more precisely. This will be especially useful when someone is participating in a clinical trial using a drug that seeks to dampen the immune attack seen in T1D.
For example, the BASTA test will be able to tell us whether the drug is actually having an effect on the immune system or not.
In addition, it requires very little blood volume, making it especially useful for children.
These benefits bring hope that the new test will markedly improve the early detection and therefore treatment of T1D. The research team is now working on the next stages of development of the BASTA test.
Our commitment to better detection of early-stage T1D
Funding for this work has come through a variety of Breakthrough T1D funding opportunities. This includes funding for Dr Matthew Lacorcia, a talented early-career researcher and funding for commercialisation of the BASTA test.
Breakthrough T1D is committed to the developing cures for T1D and improving the lives of those affected. This is why we support research projects that detect T1D early, so we can delay or one day even prevent the condition from occurring.
Learn more about our early Detection research priority.
