MGH starts test of TB vaccine to treat type 1 diabetes
Boston researchers are testing an old tuberculosis vaccine in a new clinical trial to treat type 1 diabetes, enlisting the low-grade inflammation it causes in an effort to disarm abnormal immune cells that destroy insulin-producing cells.
The phase 1 clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital is based on experiments in mice directed by Dr. Denise Faustman, who was profiled in this Globe story last week. Delivering a TB vaccine used for almost 80 years to mice cured them of a form of diabetes close to the human disease. The mild inflammatory reaction caused by the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine wiped out the immune cells that mistakenly attack cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must rely on lifelong insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar levels. Previously called juvenile-onset diabetes, the disease carries a high risk of complications such as kidney damage, blindness, amputation, and cardiovascular disease. It is less common than type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity.
Dr. David M. Nathan, director of the MGH Diabetes Center, will lead the human study, which is recruiting participants. The trial is being supported by the Iacocca Foundation, other donors, and hospital funds.
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Elizabeth Cooney is a former
health reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, where she also was a
business reporter and an editor. Earlier in her career, she edited medical
books and journals at Little, Brown, and worked for Boston magazine.Boston Globe Health and Science staff:
- Gideon Gil, Health and Science Editor
- Ishani Ganguli, Short White Coat blogger
I beleive in some ways that this is true, but by the speculations shown, it seems you have a lot more work to do and much more tests to accomplish. I trust Dr.Faustman to allow this century to soon be cured of the horrible disease, and my hope and intelligence will soon be with you. For many including my loved ones all have their faith in the doctors that were listed. Thank You.
~Doctor Joanne J.