Researchers in Melbourne are offering antibody testing to children and teens across Australia to determine if they are at risk of developing type 1, writes BRITTANY DENTON.
For people who have a relative with type 1 diabetes, the risk of developing type 1 is 10 to 15 times higher than it is for the general population. A national screening program, Type1Screen, is now offering antibody testing to children and teens, to determine if they are also at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
The hope is that, if you live with type 1 diabetes, encouraging your relatives to get screened through Type1Screen will help researchers find a way to prevent it.
Professor John Wentworth, one of the lead doctors for Type1Screen, is calling on the type 1 diabetes community to spread the word.
“Type 1 families understand the impact of diabetes, so people often want to screen their children to keep them safe from potential ketoacidosis and critical illness,” he says. Previously, there was nothing you could do… but that has now changed.”
The path to prevention
While he can’t reveal all the details yet, Professor Wentworth hints at upcoming prevention trials led by researchers at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and St Vincent’s Institute.
“By early 2026, we will have at least one, and probably two compelling prevention trials taking place,” he explains. “These will be worldwide trials, and Victoria is taking a leading role. What’s also exciting is that one of these trials is the direct result of Melbourne-based research. If it is successful, it will get to the clinic very quickly and directly benefit people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”
The antibodies screening test, which can be conducted either in a pathology centre or via finger prick test at home, is just one way that new technology is promising to transform the way type 1 diabetes is diagnosed and managed.
A study by TrialNet in the US showed the use of an immunotherapy drug called teplizumab can prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes for two years. While the drug is not yet available here, Professor Wentworth is excited by the possibilities.
“Having this treatment available justifies screening. If the test shows that you or your child is imminently going to get type 1 diabetes, you can now delay that diagnosis. Treatment with teplizumab currently involves half an hour of intravenous delivery for 14 consecutive days. It’s pretty disruptive to come in every day for 14 straight days,” Professor Wentworth says. “Still, two weeks of treatment is preferable to managing diabetes with insulin.”
Why community support is vital
Professor Wentworth says that only a small number of people would be eligible for the prevention trials, should teplizumab become available – as expected – later this year.
“That’s good news, because it means only 1 in 100 are imminently going to get type 1 diabetes. But we need 1000 people to come forward and get screened in the next six months. To find a cure for type 1 diabetes, we need the community to get involved.”
“We need your help – please encourage your relatives to get screened. We need 1000 people to come forward and get screened in the next six months.”
Professor Wentworth is hopeful the type 1 community will come together to help his team of passionate diabetes researchers again. When Type1Screen trialled an at-home test kit in 2022, they proved it could work on the strength of community support.
“This is a call to parents and grandparents, round up the kids and have a screening day.”
The benefits of early diagnosis
It goes without saying that returning a negative result for the antibody test is best case scenario. For those who test positive, finding out sooner rather than later can make all the difference.
“We get a lot of emails from participants saying, thank you so much for finding this before my child got critically ill. You kept her out of hospital, or we were prepared,” Professor Wentworth says.
“Getting the diagnosis out of the blue is shocking, whereas diagnosis through screening gives you time to process it and get prepared.”
Being a Type1Screen participant gives you access to support and information from a team of diabetes experts. For eligible people, there is the option to participate in immunotherapy trials.
“People who have just been diagnosed still have some residual pancreas function, so at least for the duration of the treatment they can maintain that. Some people do not need to use insulin for 1-2 years during immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy trials allow clinicians to combine different treatments that target different mechanisms to achieve a better result. Dedicated support for travel and accommodation will be made available to families who need to travel from regional areas for the trials.
“Again, this is a call to arms – if you know someone newly diagnosed, they should hear about these trials. A lot of the time people find us too late. Our research will have long-term benefits, but we are also trying to help people here and now.”
Type1Screen is funded by Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), with support from Diabetes Victoria, the Diabetes Australia Research Program, The Type 1 Foundation, The Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Eccles family, Eirene Lucas Foundation, Jack Newton Foundation and the Colin and Janice Smith Bequest.
Get involved
Find out more about the trial and register to be screened at type1screen.org or email them at type1screen@mh.com.au
People eligible for Type1Screen are:
- Aged over two years
- Live in Australia
- Have a relative diagnosed with type 1 diabetes OR
- Have previously had a positive antibody test
