Diabetes vaccine on the horizon

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the insulin producing cells in the pancreas (called beta cells) as an enemy and mounts an attack to destroy the cells. The exact reason for this inappropriate response isn’t known. However, researchers believe some environmental trigger (like a virus, perhaps) causes the beta cells to become inflamed.

Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are trying to find a way to short-circuit the body’s immune response in type 1 diabetes. Specifically, the investigators are targeting dendritic cells, by producing a vaccine that prevents those cells from destroying the beta cells.

In one ongoing study, investigators gave the vaccine to mice in the form of six injections over several weeks. So far, the study showed the treatment halted the destructive T-cell actions and allowed the beta cells to regenerate and begin producing insulin again. In fact, all the mice were cured of their diabetes symptoms.

Currently, researchers are testing the dendritic cell vaccine for type 1 diabetes in human clinical trials. 15 volunteers will receive the vaccine. The goal is to study the safety of the vaccine rather than its effectiveness. Eventually, researchers hope to be able to intervene early in the process so that patients can maintain more insulin-producing capability.