An immunotherapy which is based on antigen is not proving beneficial to stop the progression of type 1 diabetes after a year, said researchers in a study.

No differences are noticed in functioning of beta cells after the year. It was measured by C-peptide levels among patients who were given injections of glutamic acid decarboxylase or placebo.

“Although antigen-based therapy is a highly desirable treatment and is effective in animal models, translation to human autoimmune disease remains a challenge,” they wrote.

The co-author of study, Jay Skylaker of the University of Miami, stated that though the vaccine didn’t show any effective outcome, there were also no side effects noticed.

Many trials have been done for immunosuppressive drugs and monoclonal antibodies in preventing the growth of type 1 diabetes but now, a more comprehensive and specific approach is required.

One way to do this may be to interfere in the interaction of pathogenic T cells and antigens. For example, a major target of autoimmune response is GAD  and earlier studies have shown that giving it to mice(diabetic) prevents the progression of disease.

To assess the outcome, researchers observed 145 patients from 3 to 45 years of age who have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Canada and U.S.

“What is needed is the continued interest of agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the scientific community in the quest to beat this disease.”