Vaccine for TB could cure type 1 diabetes

Diabetes news this morning carries the story that a Harvard Medical School Professor, Denise Faustma, will investigate how tuberculosis therapy could have a role to play in curing type 1 diabetes .
A research team started a clinical trial late last year, the aim of which is to determine whether a vaccine that was once used for TB could influence type 1 diabetes .
Prof. Faustman was reported as commenting: “Most trials trying to reverse the disease are for new-onset diabetes. This is one of the first trials actually trying to manipulate the immune system in someone who has a long-standing disease.”
The vaccine prompts low-grade inflammation that could stop immune system cells from destroying pancreatic beta cells, that produce insulin . The vaccine has been used for around 80 years, and is thought to be completely safe.