Drug Slows Decline in Type 1 Diabetes

A drug for rheumatoid arthritis might help to slow down the loss of pancreas function in type 1 diabetes, a study finds. Both of these are autoimmune diseases. They occur when the immune system attacks the body. In type 1 diabetes, it attacks beta cells in the pancreas. These cells make insulin. After they are destroyed, people must inject insulin to allow the body to burn sugar (glucose) for energy. The new study included 112 people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Their ages ranged from 6 to 45. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group received abatacept (Orencia) in a vein (intravenously). The other group received placebo (fake) medicine. Every 6 months, researchers measured levels of C-peptide in the blood. The level of this compound reflects how many beta cells are still active.