Type
1 and type 2 diabetes are the two most common forms of diabetes and
have different underlying causes. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system
destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, eventually
resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. In Type 2 diabetes, the
body is producing insulin, but it may not be enough, or may not be
working efficiently because of insulin resistance.
Up
to one in ten adults with presumed type 2 diabetes have features of
both forms of diabetes, ie 'type 1.5 diabetes', and they are at higher
risk of rapidly progressing to insulin injection treatment, often
within several years after diagnosis. Adults with type 1.5 diabetes
have insulin resistance, but are also found to have antibodies responsible
for beta-cell destruction. The presence of these antibodies gives
type 1.5 diabetes its other name, 'latent autoimmune diabetes in adults'
(LADA).
The
INIT III trial is a clinical trial involving an immune therapy in
the form of insulin given as a nasal spray to determine whether it
can delay or prevent the need for insulin injections. Research subjects
for this study are currently being recruited, and adults who have
developed diabetes in the last 12 months may be eligible to participate.
Click here to read more about INIT III, or
follow one of the links below to learn about specific aspects of the
trial.
