About 24-million Americans have diabetes. And type 1 accounts for 5-10% of all cases. New study targets those patients. In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system shuts down all insulin-producing cells. But a promising new drug may keep some of those cells open for business. It's medicine that could one day help diabetics make their own insulin.
Justin Taylor has type 1 diabetes. Over time, his body stopped making insulin completely. Now a pump delivers it for him, "I was diagnosed right before I turned 17, about two months before. And my symptoms were mostly just urinating a lot and always being thirsty."
Early on, his blood sugars were easier to control because his body was still making some insulin. "When patients are first diagnosed, they usually have about 20% of their islet cells still functioning," says Thomas Donner, MD.
It's called the honeymoon phase. And now doctors want to see if they can keep it going. "By doing so, then it takes less demand on the patient to fully replace insulin which is very challenging," according to Dr. Donner.
So, in a study, newly diagnosed patients will receive an experimental drug called otelixizumab, "This is an eight day infusion. So they're infused for half an hour for eight consecutive days and then they're done," says Dr. Donner.
The drug, a type of antibody, could pull double duty. First, by stopping the immune system from attacking insulin-making cells. Second, by activating t-cells to protect them. So far, Dr. Donner says the results are promising, "We have four-year data out now showing that patients who received the drug instead of placebo, have much lower insulin requirements."
Though it's too late for Justin, he understands the impact that would have on diabetes, "If a drug like that came out, it would make it easier to control."
And there could be fewer complications down the road. For more information about this study, call 866.954.0024 or check www.defendagainstdiabetes.com
