Arthritis Drug Baricitinib Shows Promise in Preserving Insulin Production in Type 1 Diabetes Patients

In a clinical trial, patients treated with baricitinib required fewer insulin injections and had more stable blood sugar levels, indicating a potential breakthrough in type 1 diabetes treatment.

• Baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has shown promise in a clinical trial for preserving insulin production in patients with type 1 diabetes.
• The trial involved 91 participants, 60 of whom received baricitinib for 48 weeks. These participants had higher levels of C-peptide (a biomarker indicating insulin production), required fewer insulin injections, and had more stable blood sugar levels compared to the placebo group.
• The drug works by blocking Janus kinases, protein switches that lead to inflammation and an overactive immune response, which are involved in type 1 diabetes.
• The researchers stress that the therapy should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis to preserve insulin production.
• Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of baricitinib and its applicability to a wider population.

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