Figure 2.

Peptide therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) offers the opportunity to halt further progression of disease in newly diagnosed individuals and to prevent clinical symptoms of disease in at-risk individuals. T1D is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the pancreatic β cells, resulting in a decrease in insulin secretion (measured via c-peptide). Genetic factors have been identified as contributing to the risk of developing T1D as well as certain environmental factors. Prior to the clinical symptoms of T1D, auto-antibodies to one or more islet cell antibodies are detected and individuals become dysglycaemic. Current intervention with peptide therapy is focused on treating newly diagnosed patients. Future invention studies aim to treat individuals prior to clinical diagnosis in the prevention setting.