A TrialNet research study, funded by public and private organizations, found that low-dose Thymoglobulin® slows insulin loss in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Year one primary findings were published in the September print edition of Diabetes Care. Benaroya Research Institute was one of the sites at which the study was conducted.

Thymoglobulin® is approved by the FDA for the prevention and treatment of acute rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant. An earlier pilot study tested Thymoglobulin® in combination with Neulasta®, an FDA-approved drug used to increase white blood cell counts in people receiving chemotherapy. The pilot study suggested the combination preserved insulin production for more than 1 year after treatment in people who had type 1 diabetes for 4 months to 2 years.

One year after the start of treatment, researchers concluded:

• Low-dose Thymoglobulin® preserved beta cell function and improved insulin production.
• Low-dose Thymoglobulin® combined with Neulasta® did not enhance beta cell preservation.
• Hemoglobin A1c levels were significantly lower (indicating better long-term blood sugar control) in people treated with low-dose Thymoglobulin® alone and in people treated with low-dose Thymoglobulin® combined with Neulasta®, as compared to placebo.

Read the full article on Digital Journal.