A vaccine that could treat type 1 diabetes is being tested in humans, after several years of research. It is a vaccine with the name Diamyd that is undergoing phase 2 tests, and has produced good results, with the final results expected for the second half of 2020.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system reacts against the body itself, destroying the beta cells of the pancreas, responsible for the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar from the bloodstream into the interior of the body. cells. Know how to identify the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
The vaccine, which is injected into the lymph node, aims to reduce the sensitivity of the immune system, in order to preserve the beta cells of the pancreas that are still functional and allow them to continue producing insulin.
How does the vaccine work?
Glutamic acid decarboxylase, also known as GAD65, is an endogenous protein that is expressed by beta cells of the pancreas and that, in type 1 diabetes, is identified by the immune system as being dangerous. In these cases, the immune system reacts against this protein, destroying the beta cells of the pancreas, progressively reducing insulin production.
The Diamyd vaccine has in its composition the glutamic acid decarboxylase protein, which acts by reducing the sensitivity of the immune system, preserving the insulin-producing cells that remain functional, allowing them to continue to produce insulin, even in small quantities.
Diamyd is a vaccine that must be administered directly into the lymph node, in order to preserve the endogenous insulin that is produced. The final results of the study are expected for the second half of 2020.
Meet other treatments that are in the study stages and promise to cure diabetes.
