title: Prevention of type 1 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by destruction of insulin-producing β cells within the pancreatic islets. It is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Incidence levels are rising worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubmed search (Nov 2010) using keywords: Type 1 diabetes, prevention, trials, immunotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The causes of disease are multifactorial with genetic and environmental factors playing a part. There is a long pre-clinical period before the onset of overt symptoms, which may be amenable to therapeutic intervention to prevent disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exact nature of causative environmental factors is unknown and much debated. Immunotherapeutic intervention may therefore represent the best option for disease prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhancement of 'regulatory' immune mechanisms currently shows the most promise as an approach to disease prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical trials of early immunotherapeutic intervention may be the answer to disease prevention.
authors: School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, and Second Floor, Learning and Research, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK.
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Thrower
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Bingley
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007328:Insulin