ZURICH, Switzerland, April 11 -- A rheumatoid arthritis agent delivered subcutaneously appears to be effective for type 2 diabetes, found investigators here.
In a placebo controlled trial of 70 patients, those given anakinra (Kineret), a recombinant human interleukin-1-receptor antagonist, had a mean hemoglobin A1c level at 13 weeks that was a almost a half percentage point lower than controls, the researchers reported in the April 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Those given the drug also had improved insulin secretion and reduced inflammation markers, found Marc Y. Donath, M.D., of University Hospital Zurich, and colleagues.
"Our study suggests that antagonism of interleukin-1 has possible therapeutic potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes," Dr. Donath's team wrote. "Further studies are needed to test higher doses of anakinra, to evaluate its long-term use, and to test interleukin-1 antagonists that have a prolonged half-life, with the aim of preventing beta cell destruction and promoting beta-cell regeneration in type 2 diabetes."
Because expression of the IL-1-receptor antagonist is decreased in beta cells from patients with type 2 diabetes, the researchers hypothesized that intervening in the islet balance between IL-1-receptor antagonist and IL-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine, might improve beta-cell function and glycemic control, according to the investigators.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Diabetes/tb1/5422
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