Sunday, April 29, 2012
Can type 1 diabetes also be prevented?
At
the present time, we do not think that type 1 dia- betes can effectively be
prevented. Part of the problem
is that we do not know the exact environmental trig-
ger(s), although there is provocative evidence for a number of factors, such as early
exposure to
cow’s milk, certain viral strains, and lack of
stimulation
of the immune system at an early age by natural exposure to infective agents. The evidence is insufficient to make specific recommendations for avoidance
of, or immunization
against,
specific potential triggering agents. A
number of
clinical trials
of agents
that modify the immune system
attack on the insulin- producing cells of the pancreas (see Question
2) are under way. In general, these agents cause a number of side effects. Trials are focused on patients with newly diagnosed diabetes,
to determine whether very early diabetes can be reversed, before
their
use in people without symptoms
who
are at an
increased risk of development
of the disease can be justified. There is also a significant genetic (hereditary) component
of
risk
for type
1
diabetes
(see Question
7)
that
can presently
not
be modified.
First, therapies based
on genetic modification in general are still at a very early stage of development.
Second, the exact gene or genes that require modification are not conclusively known.
Labels:
Diabetes
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