Experts are divided on the significance of the results of an early-stage trial investigating a cure for type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, but the researchers say that a tuberculosis vaccine in use since 1921 could be the key. Treatment with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine appeared to reverse the disease and temporarily restore insulin production in patients who had been diabetic for as many as 15 years. The effects of the treatment lasted about one week. Researchers believe that the vaccine does this by destroying rogue immune cells that attack insulin-producing cells.Possible Vaccine Cure for Juvenile Diabetes
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August 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Experts are divided on the significance of the results of an early-stage trial investigating a cure for type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, but the researchers say that a tuberculosis vaccine in use since 1921 could be the key. Treatment with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine appeared to reverse the disease and temporarily restore insulin production in patients who had been diabetic for as many as 15 years. The effects of the treatment lasted about one week. Researchers believe that the vaccine does this by destroying rogue immune cells that attack insulin-producing cells.