Effect of ingested interferon-alpha on beta-cell function in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ingested human recombinant interferon-alpha (hrIFN-alpha) for preservation of beta-cell function in young patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

Research design and methods

Subjects aged 3-25 years in whom type 1 diabetes was diagnosed within 6 weeks of enrollment were randomly assigned to receive ingested hrIFN-alpha at 5,000 or 30,000 units or placebo once daily for 1 year. The primary outcome was change in C-peptide secretion after a mixed meal.

Results

Individuals in the placebo group (n = 30) lost 56 +/- 29% of their C-peptide secretion from 0 to 12 months, expressed as area under the curve (AUC) in response to a mixed meal. In contrast, children treated with hrIFN-alpha lost 29 +/- 54 and 48 +/- 35% (for 5,00

SUBMITTER: Rother KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2699745 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature