Medalist Study Updates
Joslin Medalist Study Update Fall 2010
Joslin Diabetes Center Medalist Study Update
Fall 2010
Greetings from the 50 Year Medalist Study! We are pleased to announce that over 600 Medalists have traveled to Joslin to participate in the study. We are grateful for your willingness to share your courageous stories, enthusiasm, and continued support of the study.
In October, the journal Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association will publish research showing that many Medalists may still produce a small amount of insulin. We have attached a copy of this paper to this letter. Excitingly, supporting this finding of the Medalists’ ability to produce insulin, we showed that there were at least a few cells with insulin in ALL of the pancreases donated by Medalists after they passed and that in some pancreases these cells appeared to be replicating. This compelling research indicates that functional insulin producing cells are still present in the pancreases of some Medalists; that there is something allowing these cells to survive the destructive process leading to diabetes. Thus, if growth and death rates of these insulin-producing cells could be altered, then it is possible that more insulin producing cells could be produced, leading to effective treatment of type 1 diabetes. These exciting findings were published by Drs. Hillary Keenan and George King, the principal investigators on the study, and several co-investigators from the Joslin and other institutions, including: Drs. Jennifer Sun, Jared Levine, Alessandro Doria, Lloyd P. Aiello, George Eisenbarth and Ms. Leah Whelan.
The findings that contributed to this published research would not have been possible without the contributions of Medalists. Visits to Joslin for study tests, as well as the gift of organ donation are and have been vital to the continued success of the Medalist Study. As we are able to study more Medalists we increase our ability to identify and validate factors contributing to the extraordinary success of Medalists. As described above, organ donation has already shown that there is a factor protecting Medalists’ insulin producing cells. Currently, we have promising findings from after death gifts of kidney(s), eyes, and a small skin sample regarding protection from some complications. We are fortunate to have colleagues here at the Joslin who are experts in studying proteins and can help us determine what is different in the tissues of those with and without a complication. Although we have some interesting findings, we cannot say anything conclusively as we need to study more tissues to make sure we are correct. Currently, there are over 200 registered organ donors and we have received organs from thirteen Medalists after they passed away, nine of which were the basis for our most recent paper (see attached).
We are eager to spread the word about the Medalist Program and encourage those who have received a Medal to tell their friends, family, and others who have successfully lived with type 1 diabetes for fifty or more years about the Program. If you know someone who has reached this major milestone, please nominate them to receive the Medal. We would like to honor all individuals who have reached the fifty year mark.
In the Spring of 2011, we plan to host a gathering of Medalists at Joslin to show our appreciation of your contributions to the study. This gathering will also provide the Medalist community the opportunity to meet and share stories and experiences. Our past Medalist gatherings have had a great turnout and a wonderful response from all who attended. If possible, we hope that many of you are able to join us. More information on this exciting event will be mailed soon.
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions and comments you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
The Medalist Study Team
Dr. King, Dr. Keenan, Sara, and Stephanie
Click on the links below to see the past Medalist Study updates:
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