IL-6 receptor blockade does not slow β cell loss in new-onset type 1 diabetes.

BackgroundIL-6 receptor (IL-6R) signaling drives development of T cell populations important to type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. We evaluated whether blockade of IL-6R with monoclonal antibody tocilizumab would slow loss of residual β cell function in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with tocilizumab in new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Correlation Among Hypoglycemia, Glycemic Variability, and C-Peptide Preservation After Alefacept Therapy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis of Data from the Immune Tolerance Network T1DAL Trial.

Purpose: In natural history studies, maintenance of higher levels of C-peptide secretion (a measure of endogenous insulin production) correlates with a lower incidence of major hypoglycemic events in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), but it is unclear whether this is also true for drug-induced C-peptide preservation.

Methods: We analyzed hypoglycemic events and glycemic control data from the T1DAL (Inducing Remission in New-Onset T1D with Alefacept) study, a trial of alefacept in new-onset T1D, which found significant C-peptide preservation at 1 and 2 years. We performed a post hoc analysis using mixed models of the association between the meal-stimulated 4-hour C-peptide AUC (4-hour AUC) and rates of major hypoglycemia, measures of glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]; mean glucometer readings), and variability (glucometer SDs; highest and lowest readings), and an index of partial remission (insulin dose-adjusted HbA1c[ IDAA1c]).

Alefacept provides sustained clinical and immunological effects in new-onset type 1 diabetes patients.

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from destruction of pancreatic β cells by autoreactive effector T cells. We hypothesized that the immunomodulatory drug alefacept would result in targeted quantitative and qualitative changes in effector T cells and prolonged preservation of endogenous insulin secretion by the remaining β cells in patients with newly diagnosed T1D.

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared alefacept (two 12-week courses of 15 mg/wk i.

A rapid method for skin grafting in mice that greatly enhances graft and recipient survival.

A streamlined method of skin grafting in mice is described. This procedure eliminates bandages, sutures, and dressings. The elimination of bandages renders the overall procedure fast and easy to learn.