The goal of NorthShore’s personalized medicine efforts in diabetes is to individualize therapy in diabetes treatment and improve our understanding of diabetes. We investigate personalized medicine in our research studies and translate findings to the clinic through the Center for Personalized Medicine Diabetes Consultation Clinic.
The clinic, run by NorthShore’s board certified endocrinologists, provides consultation for patients who may be at high risk of having monogenic diabetes, Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) or Neonatal Diabetes. Monogenic is a type of diabetes that causes up to 4% of all diabetes, and is caused by an alteration in a gene that leads to elevated blood glucose.
Knowing if a person has monogenic diabetes is important, as the genetic diagnosis dictates the treatment for this type of diabetes. Patients with specific genetic alterations may respond well to specific oral medications or not need therapy at all.
Research Studies
NorthShore investigators have launched novel clinical trials to examine the genetic architecture that underlies all types of diabetes. By understanding an individual’s unique form of diabetes based on genetic makeup, we can better personalize treatment for a condition that is now frequently treated with a one-size-fits all approach. Some of the exciting projects underway at NorthShore include:
- FIND MODY: A rare form of diabetes, Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is misclassified about 80 percent of the time as either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Using NorthShore’s sophisticated electronic medical record (EMR) system, our investigators hope to identify individuals with clinical characteristics that fit the criteria for MODY. Our researchers are working alongside researchers at the University of Chicago on this study. Those individuals who may have or are at high-risk for MODY will be offered further evaluation and genetic testing if warranted. Findings from this clinical study have the potential to vastly improve diabetes diagnosis and treatment for our patients and community.
- PHARMGen: Advancing the area of pharmacogenomics, NorthShore researchers are collaborating with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in the PHARMGen study. We are studying how one’s unique genetic make-up affects the individual’s response to anti-diabetes medications, a standard medication prescribed for anti-diabetes treatment. By analyzing a participant’s clinical data and DNA from one blood sample, researchers hope to gather important insight into how our genetics influence response to medications used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes to personalize diabetes treatment in the future.
For More Information
If you are interested in more information about the Center for Personalized Medicine in Diabetes Consultation Clinic, please call 847.570.GENE (4363) or email diabetesresearch@northshore.org.