Diabetes Study Called Partial Success

University of Chicago scientists say their effort to confirm results of a high-profile diabetes study has met with considerable, but not complete, success.

The researchers said Thursday they were able to reverse type-1 diabetes in one-third of mice, but were unable to find any evidence of insulin-producing beta cells derived from donated spleen cells, initially thought to be a crucial component of the therapy.

Two other research teams, one from Harvard University and one from Washington University in St. Louis, found similar results.

Using a protocol that was identical to the original study, we were able essentially to cure 32 percent of treated mice, which was quite encouraging, even though it was less than the 67 percent to 92 percent cure rates previously reported, said transplant immunologist Anita Chong, associate professor of surgery at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study. We saw no evidence, however, of spleen-derived beta cells in the pancreas, despite using very sensitive tests.

The three separate studies are detailed in the current issue of the journal Science.