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Recent Onset Type 1

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin (known as "beta cells"). Without these cells, the body cannot maintain proper blood glucose levels in response to daily activities such as eating or exercise. Generally, in people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, 60-85% of their beta cells have already been destroyed. In the months and years following diagnosis, the on-going autoimmune process slowly destroys the remainder of beta cells, leaving the patient entirely dependent upon injections to meet their insulin needs.

At present, there are no FDA-approved medications that halt the immune destruction of beta cells in those with type 1 diabetes. Researchers, however, are investigating new treatments designed to preserve the 15-40% of healthy beta cells that generally remain at the time of diagnosis. If successful, it is believed that a prolonged remission period would occur that would decrease or eliminate the need for insulin injections and ultimately lead to fewer secondary complications of type 1 diabetes.