A drug used to treat immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis could help preserve insulin function and suppress the progression of Type 1 diabetes, a new study shows.
The world-first BANDIT trial looked at the effectiveness of the daily immunotherapy tablet baricitnib in protecting pancreas function for patients newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
It found the drug could safely and effectively preserve the body’s ability to produce insulin if administered within three months of diagnosis.
“This is an incredibly important step in the management of Type 1 diabetes, and possible future treatments,” the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) endocrinologist Associate Professor John Wentworth said.
“We’re proud to have played a role in research that has shown, for the first time, that we can use a daily tablet to preserve pancreas function.”
Almost 100 children and adults took part in the world-first trial, which was led by St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and conducted by researchers and clinicians at four sites including the RMH, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.
The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) today.
A/Prof Wentworth, who led the study at the RMH, said early diagnosis and intervention were key to baricitnib’s effectiveness.
“Based on our experience with other immune therapies, we expect this tablet’s benefits would be even greater if we could treat people earlier, before they needed to start injecting insulin to control glucose,” he said.
He said that it could have a profound impact on people newly diagnosed, lessening the need for insulin injections and allowing them to live more freely.
“Whilst insulin is an effective treatment, it is difficult to administer accurately and carries a huge burden,” A/Prof Wentworth said.
“A tablet that could preserve pancreas function would alleviate this burden and make it easier for people living with diabetes to enjoy the important things in life.
The clinical trial was funded by JDRF, the leading type 1 diabetes research, advocacy and community programs organisation, including through the JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network.
About 130,000 people live with Type 1 diabetes in Australia.
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