Vaccine may prevent onset of diabetes
December 14, 2004
A vaccine that could be a cure for type I diabetes
is to be tested on people for the first time.
British researchers in conjunction with the Diabetes
Vaccine Development Centre in Melbourne will conduct
the trial from early next year.
Although the exact cause of type I diabetes is unknown,
the body's defence system mounts an abnormal attack
on its pancreas, destroying the body's ability to produce
insulin.
The vaccine works by stopping the destruction of the
cells.
One of the team leaders, Dr Colin Dayan from Bristol
University, explains who might benefit.
"It'll be of help for people who have just been
diagnosed, it might stop their insulin making cells
deteriorating further," he said.
"Then if it proves to be very safe, we will think
about using it in people who have a high risk of going
on to develop type I diabetes."
Source:www.abc.net.au
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