Type 1 diabetes vaccine flunks trial

A vaccine to defend against the progression of type 1 diabetes has failed to elicit a response in a trial presented at an American Diabetes Association meeting. The trial was conducted by the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Millar School of Medicine in Florida.

The vaccine tested a hypothesis: scientists could target the same antigen as type 2 diabetes for type 1, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). According to data from the 145 patient study, all three groups in the study--who received three injections of the vaccine, two vaccine doses and one alum, or all alums as a control--achieved similar beta cell function decline. While scientists concluded the vaccine didn't impede the progression of type 1 diabetes, they still have hope for the jab.

The researchers believe the vaccine could be used as part of a combination therapy to recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients, according to Medical News Today.

- here's the USA Today piece
- read more from Medical News Today