Closed-loop Control of Glucose Levels (Artificial Pancreas) for 24 Hours in Adults and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

An Open-label, Randomized, Three-way, Cross-over Study to Assess the Efficacy of Single-hormone Closed-loop Strategy, Dual-hormone Closed-loop Strategy and Conventional Pump Therapy in Regulating Glucose Levels During 24 Hours in Adults and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Closed-loop strategy is composed of three components: glucose sensor to read glucose levels, insulin pump to infuse insulin and a dosing mathematical algorithm to decide on the required insulin dosages based on the sensor's readings. A dual-hormone closed-loop system would regulate glucose levels through the infusion of two hormone: insulin and glucagon.

The main objective of this project is to compare the efficacy of single-hormone closed-loop strategy, dual-hormone closed-loop strategy and pump therapy to regulate glucose levels in a 24-hours in-patient study with standardized conditions in adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

The investigators hypothesized that dual-hormone closed-loop strategy is more effective in regulating glucose levels in adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes compared to single-hormone closed-loop strategy, which in turn is more effective than the conventional pump therapy.

Closed-loop strategy is composed of three components: glucose sensor to read glucose levels, insulin pump to infuse insulin and a dosing mathematical algorithm to decide on the required insulin dosages based on the sensor's readings. A dual-hormone closed-loop system would regulate glucose levels through the infusion of two hormone: insulin and glucagon.

We aim to conduct the 1st randomized three-way cross-over trial comparing single hormone closed-loop strategy, dual-hormone closed-loop strategy and the conventional pump therapy. We aim to compare the three interventions for 24 hours in adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Each 24 hours will include a 60-min exercise session, three meals characterizing a full day, activities that mimick real-life conditions and an overnight stay. This study will also allow for multiple comparisons and evaluating the benefits of each component separately (i.e. the benefits of merely closing the loop with insulin alone vs. adding glucagon to the closed-loop strategy).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females ≥ 12 years of old.
2. Clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for at least one year. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is based on the investigator's judgment; C peptide level and antibody determinations are not needed.
3. The subject will have been on insulin pump therapy for at least 3 months.
4. HbA1c ≤ 12%.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Clinically significant nephropathy, neuropathy or retinopathy as judged by the investigator.
2. Recent (< 6 months) acute macrovascular event e.g. acute coronary syndrome or cardiac surgery.
3. A recent injury to body or limb, muscular disorder, use of any medication or other significant medical disorder if that injury, medication or disease in the judgment of the investigator will affect the completion of the exercise protocol.
4. Pregnancy.
5. Severe hypoglycemic episode within two weeks of screening.
6. Current use of glucocorticoid medication (except low stable dose).
7. Known or suspected allergy to the trial products or meal contents.
8. Other serious medical illness likely to interfere with study participation or with the ability to complete the trial by the judgment of the investigator.
9. Anticipating a significant change in exercise regimen between admissions (i.e. starting or stopping an organized sport).
10. Failure to comply with team's recommendations (e.g. not willing to eat meals/snacks, not willing to change pump parameters, etc).