Diabetes News:

Volunteers Sought for Trial of Drug to Prevent Pre-Diabetes From Becoming Type 2 Diabetes

Volunteers with pre-diabetes are being sought for a new multi-center clinical trial to evaluate a new drug developed by a major global pharmaceutical company to see if it can prevent pre-diabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes.

Pennington Management of Clinical Trials (PMCT) said it was seeking volunteers, ages 35 to 75, who are either at least 20 lbs overweight, have a family history of diabetes or who may be at a higher risk due to ethnicity.

Health care professionals at 50 sites throughout California, Texas and Louisiana will screen tens of thousands of potential study participants at no cost for pre-diabetes.

"People don't just get diabetes, it develops over a 7-10 year period, the pre-diabetes period," said Dr. Donna Ryan, associate executive director for Clinical Research at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, La.

"During this time circulatory and cardiovascular damage can be done. We know that lifestyle changes can help prevent diabetes in persons with pre-diabetes and all participants will be given counseling as part of the study," Ryan said.

"Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic in America. It is vital to explore possible treatments to ensure the welfare of those individuals who might suffer from diabetes in the future," added Dr. Ken Fujioka, director of Nutrition and Metabolic Research at Scripps Clinic, San Diego.

"The link between type 2 diabetes and being overweight is clear. Diet and exercise are important steps for the prevention of the disease; however, for some people that is simply not enough. This study could have important implications for that population."

For more information on how to participate, please call 1-866-9-to-detect or visit www.todetect.com.

Source: Medical Week staff, week of May 10, 2006