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April 21, 2006

New Plan May Reverse Type 1 Diabetes - at least in mice

Strong synergy is the key- combining a vaccine and an immunosuppressant drug:

Scientists have used a two-pronged treatment to reverse recent-onset type 1 diabetesdiabetes in mice.

The approach hasn't yet been tested on humans, but the results from tests on mice are "encouraging," the researchers write in The Journal of Clinical Immunology.

The scientists gave mice oral doses of antibodies that targeted certain immune system cells, called T cells, that are involved in attacking pancreatic cells in type 1 diabetes. After slowing down the immune system's attack on insulin cells, the researchers gave the mice intranasal doses of a peptide (a building block of protein) that boosted protection of the insulin-producing pancreatic cells.

The danger of suppressing the immune system is that it puts patients at increased risk of cancers or viral infections. But by combining drugs, a lower dose of the immuno-suppressant antibody is required, with a lower risk of side effects.

Encouraging but: has only been tried on mice, works only on those with Type 1, may have negative side effects, must go through FDA approval, etc. We look forward to learing more.

Posted by Diabetologica at April 21, 2006 3:30 AM