Can A Drug Cocktail Reverse Type 1 Diabetes?

Filed in archive News on April 21, 2006

Some scientists think so. Although they have only conducted the tests on animals, researchers are triumphantly announcing a 'miracle mix' of two drugs that when ingested, can reverse Type 1 diabetes. The drugs are a monoclonal antibody and a peptide that have been moderately successful when used alone, but when combined, seemed to promise a 'removal' of diabetes.

The cocktail is taken orally and nasally, and is designed to 'teach' the body to tolerate, rather than attack, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Scientists hope to begin human trials later this year.

This story has sent the Diabetes community (both the medical and OC version) buzzing. You can get more information here, here, here, and here.

Is this a miracle cure, or do we need to be cautious? Would you sign up for the trial?

(Photo: Monoclonal antibodies)