FrexalimAB in Preservation of Endogenous insULIN Secretion Compared to Placebo in adUlts and Adolescents on Top of inSulin Therapy (FABULINUS)
This study, called FABULINUS, is for people aged 12-35 who have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and are already taking insulin. The main goal is to find out if a new drug, frexalimab, can help your body continue to produce its own insulin, which is often lost in Type 1 Diabetes. Researchers also want to check if frexalimab is safe. Some participants will receive frexalimab, while others will receive a placebo (a dummy medicine with no active ingredients). All participants will continue their usual insulin treatment. The study will last about two years, and everyone involved will be closely monitored by a medical team.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a vital hormone that helps turn sugar from food into energy. When these cells are damaged, your body can't make enough insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. People with Type 1 Diabetes need to take insulin every day to manage their condition.
This study is testing a new medication called frexalimab. Researchers hope frexalimab might be able to protect the remaining insulin-producing cells in people who have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. If it works, it could mean their bodies continue to make some of their own insulin for longer, which might make managing their diabetes easier. This is a "Phase 2" study, meaning it's an early but important step in testing a new medicine.
The study is designed to compare frexalimab with a placebo. A placebo looks just like the real medicine but contains no active drug. This helps researchers understand if any benefits seen are genuinely due to frexalimab or something else. All participants will still take their normal insulin, as frexalimab is an additional treatment being investigated.
Key takeaways
- This study investigates a new drug called frexalimab for recently diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes.
- It aims to see if frexalimab can help preserve the body's natural insulin production.
- Participants will be aged 12-35 and already taking insulin.
- The study compares frexalimab to a placebo, with all participants continuing insulin therapy.
- Participation involves regular hospital visits and lasts approximately two and a half years.
- It's a Phase 2 study, an early step in testing the new medication.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for this study, you would typically need to be between 12 and 35 years old. You must have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes recently – specifically, within the last 90 days before your first screening visit – and already be on insulin treatment. Your doctors will also check for specific markers in your blood, confirming you have Type 1 Diabetes, and that your body is still producing at least a small amount of its own insulin.
There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had certain serious infections recently, or have a history of specific types of infections, you might not be eligible. The medical team will review your health history carefully to make sure the study is safe for you. You also need to be up-to-date with your routine vaccinations.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 12 and 35 years old?
- Have you been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes within the last 3 months?
- Are you currently taking insulin for your diabetes?
- Are you up-to-date with your routine vaccinations?
- Have you had any serious infections in the past month, or a history of specific serious infections?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, your total involvement in the study could last up to about 2 and a half years (135 weeks). Initially, there's a screening period of 3 to 5 weeks to see if you're a good fit. After that, you'll enter the main treatment period, which is for approximately two years (104 weeks). During this time, you'll either receive frexalimab or a placebo, in addition to your regular insulin, and will have regular check-ups and assessments.
After the main two-year treatment, there's an optional extra two-year period where you might know if you're receiving the active drug (this is called an Open Label Extension). Finally, there will be a follow-up period of up to 26 weeks to check on your health after the treatment ends. Throughout the study, you'll have regular hospital visits for blood tests, physical exams, and to receive your study medication. The exact number of visits will be explained by the study team.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (79)
- University of California San Francisco - Mission Bay- Site Number : 8400012Verified postcodeSan Francisco, United States· Recruiting
- University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus- Site Number : 8400003Verified postcodeAurora, United States· Active not recruiting
- University of Florida College of Medicine- Site Number : 8400010Verified postcodeGainesville, United States· Active not recruiting
- University of Miami Hospital- Site Number : 8400013Verified postcodeMiami, United States· Recruiting
- AdventHealth Orlando- Site Number : 8400002Verified postcodeOrlando, United States· Recruiting
- Rocky Mountain Diabetes and Osteoporosis Center- Site Number : 8400009Verified postcodeIdaho Falls, United States· Active not recruiting
- NorthShore University Health System - Endeavor Health Medical Group - Skokie - Woods Drive- Site Number : 8400007Verified postcodeSkokie, United States· Active not recruiting
- Joslin Diabetes Center - Boston- Site Number : 8400015Verified postcodeBoston, United States· Active not recruiting
- University at Buffalo - Downtown Campus- Site Number : 8400004Verified postcodeBuffalo, United States· Active not recruiting
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- Site Number : 8400001Verified postcodeChapel Hill, United States· Active not recruiting
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center- Site Number : 8400019Verified postcodeCincinnati, United States· Active not recruiting
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Site Number : 8400005Verified postcodePhiladelphia, United States· Active not recruiting
Common questions
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where your body's immune system stops your pancreas from making insulin, a hormone needed to turn food into energy. People with Type 1 Diabetes need daily insulin injections.
What is 'frexalimab'?
Frexalimab is a new drug being tested in this study. It's hoped that it might help protect the cells in your pancreas that make insulin.
What is a 'placebo'?
A placebo is a dummy medicine that looks exactly like the study drug but contains no active ingredients. This helps researchers see if the real drug is truly effective.
Will I still take my usual insulin?
Yes, all participants in this study will continue to take their regular insulin treatment, as frexalimab is an additional investigational medicine.
How long will the study last?
If you join, your involvement could last for about two and a half years in total, including screening, treatment, and follow-up.
How to find out more
Trial Transparency email recommended (Toll free number for US & Canada)
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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