Reference Database

YearReference
2001
Beta-cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes and immunomodulation with a heat-shock protein peptide (DiaPep277): a randomised, double-blind, phase II trial.
Raz, I
Elias, D
Avron, A
Tamir, M
Metzger, M
Cohen, I R
Lancet (London, England) 2001 Nov 24;358: 1749-53
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The 60 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp60) is one of the known target self antigens. An immunomodulatory peptide from hsp60, p277, arrested beta-cell destruction and maintained insulin production in newly diabetic NOD mice. We did a randomised, double-blind, phase II study of peptide treatment in patients with newly diagnosed (

METHODS: 35 patients with type 1 diabetes and basal C-peptide concentrations above 0.1 nmol/L were assigned subcutaneous injections of 1 mg p277 and 40 mg mannitol in vegetable oil (DiaPep277; n=18) at entry, 1 month, and 6 months, or three placebo injections (mannitol in vehicle; placebo; n=17). The primary endpoint was glucagon-stimulated C-peptide production. Secondary endpoints were metabolic control and T-cell autoimmunity to hsp60 and to p277 (assayed by cytokine secretion). 31 patients completed 10 months of follow-up and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis.

FINDINGS: At 10 months, mean C-peptide concentrations had fallen in the placebo group (n=16) but were maintained in the DiaPep277 group (n=15; 0.26 [SD 0.11] vs 0.93 [0.35] nmol/L; p=0.039). Need for exogenous insulin was higher in the placebo than in the DiaPep277 group (0.67 [0.33] vs 0.43 [0.17] U/kg; p=0.042). Haemoglobin A1c concentrations were low (around 7%) in both groups. T-cell reactivity to hsp60 and p277 in the DiaPep277 group showed an enhanced T-helper-2 cytokine phenotype. No adverse effects were noted.

INTERPRETATION: Although this study was small, treatment of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes with DiaPep277 seems to preserve endogenous insulin production, perhaps through induction of a shift from T-helper-1 to T-helper-2 cytokines produced by the autoimmune T cells.

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