Automated Closed-loop in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes need regular insulin injections or continuous delivery of insulin using a pump. Keeping blood sugars in the normal range is known to reduce long term complications. However, achieving treatment goals can be very difficult due to the risk of low glucose levels (hypoglycaemia). One solution is to use a system where the amount of insulin injected closely matches the blood sugar levels on a continuous basis. This can be achieved by what is known as a "closed loop system" where a small glucose sensor placed under the skin communicates with a computer containing an algorithm that drives a subcutaneous insulin pump. Previous studies conducted under carefully controlled clinical research facility environment, in Cambridge, United Kingdom, as well as several other centres have shown that closed-loop glucose control is superior to usual insulin pump therapy. The next logical step in the development pathway is to test closed loop systems in the home environment. An essential requirement for conducting closed-loop studies outside clinical research facility is an automated system where wireless data transmission takes place between the glucose sensor and insulin pump.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of automated overnight closed-loop, in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, using a novel system which has greatest potential for use in the home setting. The study will take place at a clinical research facility on two occasions, using a standardised protocol. The performance of the closed-loop system will be evaluated on day 1 of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor life as compared to on days 3 to 4 of sensor life. Data and experience gained from this study will be used for further refinements and development of the system for future home use.

The main objective of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and utility/reliability of a novel automated overnight closed-loop glucose control system in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. This will inform the future development of closed-loop systems in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes.

This is an open-label, randomised, 2-period cross-over study, using the Medtronic Android closed loop platform or similar, comparing the safety and efficacy of overnight closed loop glucose control on day 1 compared with day 3 to 4 of CGM sensor life. Participants will be randomised to undergo two overnight studies in a clinical research facility, during which glucose levels will be controlled by the computer-based closed-loop algorithm on day 1 of CGM sensor insertion or day 3 to 4 after sensor insertion.

A total of 16 children and adolescents with T1D between 6 and 18 years of age will be recruited through the Outpatient Diabetes Clinic in the Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital and Paediatric Diabetes Centres in London, Norwich, and Ipswich, to allow for 12 available for assessment. All participants will be on insulin pump treatment with a good knowledge of insulin dose adjustments. The study will take place at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility (WTCRF), Cambridge. Participants will be admitted at the clinical research facility in the evening and stay until the following morning. During the two closed-loop visits, automated closed-loop glucose control with wireless data transmission will be performed. A Model-Predictive-Control algorithm will determine the insulin infusion rate based on interstitial glucose measured by a continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. Intravenous sampling for glucose and insulin levels will also be carried out on both study visits for post hoc validation of glucose sensor data and for future modelling purposes.

The primary efficacy endpoint is the time spent in the target plasma glucose range from 3.9 to 8 mmol/L. Safety evaluation is focused on the frequency and duration of episodes of hypoglycaemia.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* The subject is between 6 and 18 years of age.
* The subject has had type 1 diabetes, as defined by WHO criteria for at least 1 year or is confirmed C-peptide negative.
* The subject will have been an insulin pump user for at least 3 months, with a good knowledge of insulin dose adjustment.
* HbA1c between below 11 % based on analysis from central laboratory.
* The subject is literate in English.
* The subject is willing to undertake all study related activities.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-type 1 diabetes mellitus including those secondary to chronic disease.
* Any other physical or psychological disease likely to interfere with the normal conduct of the study and interpretation of the study results.
* Current treatment with drugs known to interfere with glucose metabolism such as systemic corticosteroids, non-selective beta-blockers and MAO inhibitors.
* Known or suspected allergy against insulin.
* Subjects with clinically significant nephropathy, neuropathy or proliferative retinopathy as judged by the investigator
* Patient is pregnant, or breast feeding during the period of the study.
* Total daily insulin dose ≥ 2 Units/kg/day
* Total daily insulin dose \< 10 Units/day
* Severe visual impairment
* Severe hearing impairment
* Subjects using implanted internal pacemaker