Effects of Recombinant Human Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase on the Progression of Type 1 Diabetes in New Onset Subjects

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system (the part of the body which helps fight infections) mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin (islet cells found in the pancreas called islet cells). As these cells are destroyed, the body's ability to produce insulin decreases. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is one of the major autoantigens (a protein that the immune system is reacting to) involved in the autoimmune process underlying T1DM.

GAD-Alum is Recombinant human (rhGAD65) and is used as an antigen-specific immune modulator. Previous studies have shown that it may slow or prevent autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet cells by introducing "immune tolerance". By administering excess autoantigen, the body may stop its attack on its own cells that produce insulin. If the immune system's attack can be halted in a patient with recent onset T1DM, than residual insulin secretion may be maintained. This may be beneficial in decreasing acute and long-term diabetic complications as well as improving glucose control.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 3 to 45 years - Insulin dependent type 1-diabetes mellitus diagnosed within the previous 3 months
• Stimulated C-peptide levels greater than or equal to 0.2 pmol/ml measured during a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) conducted 3 weeks from diagnosis of diabetes
• Presence of GAD65 antibodies
• At least one month from last immunization
• Willing to comply with intensive diabetes management
• If participant is a woman with reproductive potential, she must be willing to avoid pregnancy and have a negative pregnancy test
• Willing to forgo routine clinical immunizations during the first 100 days after initial study drug administration

Exclusion criteria

• Immunodeficiency or clinically significant chronic lymphopenia
• Active infection
• Positive PPD test result
• Pregnant or lactating or anticipating becoming pregnant for 24 months following first injection
• Ongoing use of medications known to influence glucose tolerance
• Require use of systemic immunosuppressant(s)
• Serologic evidence of current or past HIV, Hep B, or Hep C infection
• History of malignancies
• Ongoing use of non-insulin pharmaceuticals to affect glycemic control
• Participation in another clinical trial with a new chemical entity within the past 3 months
• Complicating medical issues or abnormal clinical laboratory results that interfere with study conduct or cause increased risk including neurological, or clinically significant blood count abnormalities (such as lymphopenia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia)
• History of epilepsy, head trauma or cerebrovascular accident or clinical
• History of alcohol or drug abuse