Cord Blood transfusion for children with Type 1 Diabetes
The aim of this study is to improve the control of blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes, with an autologous cord blood transfusion. In the USA already 23 children with newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes received a cord blood transfusion.
Analyses of changes in peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) concentration demonstrated a 42 % fractional increase of Treg during the 6 months immediately after cord blood infusion. The children with transfusion had a lower HbA1c value and a higher stimulated c-peptide level compared to the control group. After twelve months there was no significantly difference in the HbA1c and the insulin dose between umbilical cord blood recipients and control subjects. Whereas the HbA1c was stable over the 1 year of follow up in the transfusion group and the GAD antibody concentration decreased form 4.2 units/ml to 3.5 units/ml. No adverse events were observed in association with autologous umbilical cord blood infusion. These results show that umbilical cord blood in young children with type 1 diabetes is feasible and safe.
In Germany 10 children will receive an autologous cord blood transfusion. Five children have received an autologous umbilcal cord blood infusion, already. The participants should be older than 1 year and the diagnose of type 1 diagnose should not be longer than 12 months. The children must have stored their own cord blood sample. Another 20 children without a cord blood sample can participate in a control group to evaluate c-petptide, insulin, antibodies, HbA1c and T-cells.
Contact person: Eleni Giannopoulou
Phone: +49-(0)89 / 3187 - 4797
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