complications symptoms of diabetes

At the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, patients still have significant B cell function. This explains why soon after diagnosis patients go into a partial clinical remission ("honeymoon") requiring little or no insulin. This clinical remission is short-lived, however, and eventually patients lose all B cell function and have more labile glucose control. Attempts have been made to prolong this partial clinical remission using drugs such as cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisone, and antithymocyte globulin. These drugs have had limited efficacy, and there are concerns about toxicity and the need for continuous treatment.
Newer agents that may induce immune tolerance and appear to have few side effects have been used in new-onset type 1 patients. Two small studies, one with a heat shock protein peptide (DiaPep277) and another with an anti-CD3 antibody, have demonstrated that these agents can preserve endogenous insulin production. Larger phase 2 clinical trials are currently in progress.