Recent trials of two different approaches to preventing type 1 diabetes had opposite results: one didn't work, while the other shows promise.

The promising trial involved two weeks of injections of a monoclonal antibody into 12 patients who had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. After a year, three-quarters of those patients showed little if any loss of their ability to make their own insulin, compared to matched controls who didn't receive the antibody. The treated patients showed better glucose control and were able to reduce their insulin dosage, too.

In the other study, US and Canadian researchers identified 339 children who were relatives of people with type 1 diabetes and were determined to have a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes themselves within five years. Half were given low-dose insulin shots twice a day. After nearly four years, the incidence of diabetes in the two groups was almost identical: 69 of those who received insulin and 70 among those who did not had developed type 1 diabetes. The results were particularly disappointing, since animal studies and a smaller human trial had indicated that such an approach might work in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes in people at high risk.

Related information Latest developments - Prevention trials

Sources:

• Herold KC, Hagopian W, Auger JA, et al. Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine, May 30, 2002;346:1692-1698. (Abs.)
• Diabetes Prevention Trial - Type 1 Diabetes Study Group. Effects of insulin in relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine, May 30, 2002;346:1685-1691. (Abs.)