BACKGROUND:  Diabetes is a serious medical condition, where over 19 million people in the United States are diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, complications that result from diabetes are common, such as blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. Type 1 diabetes is much less common than Type 2 diabetes, and typically affects younger individuals. Type 1 diabetes is associated with the lack of insulin when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin to maintain a normal blood glucose level. In order to treat Type 1 diabetes, patients are injected with insulin. However, insulin injections do not prevent diabetes or sustain the survival of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. There is a need for a treatment that can both treat and prevent Type 1 diabetes.

INNOVATION:  UCLA researchers have identified a peptide and peptide analogues that have the ability to prevent and treat individuals with early or pre-Type 1 diabetes. Treatments with this therapeutic can help suppress the development of Type 1 diabetes in susceptible individuals, sustain the survival and activity of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, enhance insulin action, and promote glucose utilization into insulin responsive tissues.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Treat, prevent, or delay Type 1 diabetes by potentially serving as a single agent or as a co-therapy with insulin or other agents

ADVANTAGES

• Prevent onset of Type 1 diabetes in susceptible individuals
• Sustain survival and activity of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells
• Improve glucose tolerance in new onset type 1 diabetes

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  Investigators have tested the peptide and peptide analogues in vitro in beta cell cultures, as well as in the NOD mouse model. Mouse studies have shown improved glucose tolerance, decreased severity of insulitis, and delayed onset of diabetes.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2007-714