Definition of a Practical Cure

JDCA advocates the concept of a Practical Cure versus an Idealized Cure.  A Practical Cure does not return the patient to a state as if they did not have diabetes.  It seeks to deliver the result that most people and families would consider an acceptable, cure-like lifestyle.  This is important to distinguish because an Idealized Cure is extremely unlikely and rationalizes a substantial amount of funding as cure related when it would be practically judged idealized and exploratory by most donor’s standards.

 

The JDCA is guided by its mission to cure type 1 diabetes by 2025.  To provide a framework for this mission, the JDCA’s definition for a cure is as follows:

•  For at least 1 year, a cure must:
-  Not require blood glucose monitoring beyond once a week
-  Not require carb counting
-  Not restrict a patient’s diet
-  Allow patients to sleep care free
-  Keep A1c levels between 6-7

•  A cure must be delivered through a treatment that:
-  If it is surgical, requires a full recovery of less than 72 hours
-  If it is pharmacological, requires no more than a reasonable pill and/or injection regimen

•  A cure, which may include a drug regimen,  must not have side effects or pose longer term risks greater than current complications of type 1