Aralast NP (alpha-1 antitrypsin, AAT), an alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (human), was the drug to be tested in this clinical trial. Aralast NP is an anti-inflammatory drug that affects the cells that are thought to be involved in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, T1D). This study, known as RETAIN, was planned as a two-part trial to investigate the effect of Aralast NP on preserving beta cell function and to determine if the intervention would slow the progression of type 1 diabetes. Part I of this trial (NCT 01183468) was an open-label, safety and dose level study consisting of two groups. After completion of Part I, including a satisfactory safety review, enrollment in Part II was to begin. Part II was designed as a two-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, and participants were to be randomly assigned to either the Aralast NP treatment or placebo group.
T1D is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system (the part of your body that helps fight infections) mistakenly attacks the cells that produce insulin (beta cells in the pancreas). As beta cells are destroyed by your immune cells, your ability to produce insulin is decreased. Insulin helps keep blood glucose levels normal. Individuals with T1D who have the ability to produce some of their own insulin (even though they still need to take insulin) may be able to achieve better glucose control than people who produce no insulin at all. Better glucose control has been shown to reduce the long-term complications of diabetes. Previous research has shown that giving medicines to affect the immune system soon after type 1 diabetes is diagnosed may stop, delay or decrease the destruction of beta cells, resulting in better glucose control. In mouse models of disease, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitors have been shown to reverse new-onset diabetes and induce a state of self-tolerance. The RETAIN clinical trial was intended to investigate the effect of Aralast NP on preserving beta cell function and slowing the progression of T1D.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Participants will receive IV infusions of Aralast NP (90mg/kg) once a week for 12 weeks.
Participants will receive IV infusions of placebo once a week for 12 weeks.
University of California San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States
Barbara Davis Center
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Mixed-Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT)-Stimulated 2-hour C-peptide Area Under the Curve (AUC)
Time frame: Week 52
MMTT-Stimulated Peak and 4-hour C-peptide AUC
Time frame: Weeks 52 and 104
MMTT-Stimulated 2-hour C-Peptide AUC Assessed Over Time
Time frame: Weeks 0, 14, 26, 52, and 104
Insulin Use in Units Per Kilogram Body Weight Per Day
Time frame: Weeks 52 and 104
Hypoglycemic Events Occurring from Randomization to End of Trial
Time frame: Throughout the Study
Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Levels
Time frame: Weeks 52 and 104
Emergence of Anti-Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) Antibodies
Time frame: Throughout the Study
Frequency and Severity of All Adverse Events (AEs)
Time frame: Throughout the study
Changes in D-dimer Levels Indicating Alteration in Coagulant/Anticoagulant Balance
Time frame: Throughout the study
Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Aralast NP
Time frame: Throughout the study
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Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Atlanta Diabetes Associates
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
University of Maryland Medical Center
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Calvert Memorial Hospital
Prince Frederick, Maryland, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
...and 5 more locations