Trial jab shows cure likely for diabetes

BRITAIN: A twice-monthly injection can stop type 1 diabetes in its tracks, according to an early-stage study that raises hopes of a vaccine for the disease.

Scientists have found the first strong evidence that the previously untreatable disorder can be halted by reining in attacks from the immune system.

Combined with advanced blood tests that spot the disease before symptoms appear, the approach has the potential to prevent most new cases.

The injection, developed by researchers at Cardiff University and King’s College London, is designed to stop immune cells mistakenly wiping out the cells in the pancreas that control blood sugar.

The results from a proof-ofconcept clinical trial at five hospitals in the UK suggest it is the first treatment capable of slowing or halting the disease.

Over a year, 19 newly diagnosed patients who received an injection every few weeks had the biological markers of their diabetes stabilised, while all but one of the eight people in the placebo group got significantly worse.

The study also shows that the immunotherapy is likely to be safe, an important milestone in a field where experimental remedies can often do more harm than good.

Elizabeth Robertson, Diabetes UK’s director of research, said: ‘‘These findings are an exciting step towards immunotherapies being used to prevent this condition from developing in those at high risk, or stop it from progressing in those already diagnosed.’’

Mark Peakman, professor of clinical immunology at KCL, said its biggest benefit could come if used as a form of vaccine for young people who are at high risk but still have enough beta cells left to live a normal life.