First CL4P-CF Patient Recruited

October 14, 2025

A new diabetes clinical trial in collaboration with the University of Cambridge welcomed its first participant in September at the Belfast trust. The Closed-loop for people living with Cystic Fibrosis-related diabetes (CL4P-CF) study aims to find out if using an automated insulin delivery system (also called a closed-loop system), can improve glucose levels in people with Cystic Fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), compared with standard insulin therapy and a glucose sensor.

CFRD is the commonest comorbidity in CF affecting 15-20% of adolescents and 35-50% of adults. UK Registry data shows hyperglycaemia trebles the risk of mortality in people with CFRD. There is a clear need for novel approaches to optimise glycaemic management in CFRD and potentially modify disease progression.

CL4P-CF’s trial objective is to compare closed-loop glucose control with standard insulin therapy with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in young people and adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) related diabetes, in terms of the efficacy of glycaemic control, lung function, metabolic effects and health-related quality of life.

This study addresses an important need: CFRD can be challenging to manage, and new technologies like closed-loop systems hold promise for better outcomes to see if it offers better glucose control. It focuses on quality of life: Beyond just glucose numbers, the study considers the overall well-being of individuals living with CFRD.

NICRN clinical lead for Diabetes, Dr Philip Johnston (photographed) explained further about the study, “I am delighted that the first patient has been recruited from Northern Ireland into the CL4P-CF trial. This study will assess whether closed loop-insulin devices will improve glycaemic control and quality of life in patients who develop diabetes as a result of cystic fibrosis. We look forward to the results of this study and hopefully this will translate into improved clinical outcomes for our patients. Well done to all the NICRN team, Dr Sam Lockhart, Dr Ailish Nugent as well as the BHSCT R and D staff for all their efforts in setting up this study.”

This study is ongoing and more participants are planned in the upcoming weeks.

Photographed in featured image are the Drew Jamison, Principal Investigator, CF Diabetes Specialist Nurse and the Diabetes Research team