[Type 1 diabetes: origin and possibilities for prevention].
Studies on the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes in humans as well as in the animal models available for the disease have yielded tests allowing for the prediction of type 1 diabetes in first degree relatives of patients affected by the disease. These tests involve analysis of MHC phenotype and screening for the presence of antibodies against the insulin producing beta cell of the pancreas. The screening of first degree relatives for their risk of the disease is coordinated in Belgium by a national registry, the Belgian Diabetes Registry. Animal research and epidemiological studies in humans have moreover suggested strategies that might be effective in preventing type 1 diabetes in persons at risk. Some strategies have an acceptable safety margin and can be tested in humans. At present several large scale clinical trials are being performed worldwide. Results of these trials can be expected in a few years.
Mathieu
C
C
Laboratorium voor Experimentele Geneeskunde en Endocrinologie (LEGENDO), Onderwijs en Navorsing, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49-B 3000 Leuven.
Decallonne
B
B
Casteels
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D011322:Primary Prevention
D000906:Antibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D005819:Genetic Markers