Breaking News: European Study Reports Halting of Progress of Type 1 Diabetes by Drug Anti-CD3 Antibody

The European study of patients with Type I diabetes found that short-term treatment lowered insulin dependence by 12 percent and increased insulin-making capabilities for at least 18 months.

“The results are very promising. There are not many instances where you can stop an autoimmune disease in its tracks,” said Dr. Richard Insel, executive vice president for research of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

An anti-CD3 antibody works by hindering the attack on the pancreas, thereby maintaining the body’s natural insulin production.

Researchers led by Dr. Lucienne Chatenoud of Necker Hospital in Paris tested the drug on 80 newly diagnosed patients.

A larger clinical trial is scheduled for August in the United States using a different version of the drug.

This is the first time diabetes is being treated successfully from the immunological angle and not just insulin therapy. Diabetes in many cases is like acute renal failure, an infection causes slow destruction of pancreas leading to diabetes.

Treatment was most effective in patients who retained at least half of their insulin function despite their disease. In other words the treatment will work best for people who have recently been affected by diabetes and their pancreas is still partially functioning. Also realize that this is likely to be a short term therapy. If this proves successful in further studies then you will be truly cured of diabates. You wouldn’t have to depend on any drugs to stay normal.

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