This is a non-randomized, parallel-controlled, single-center, open-label clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in preserving pancreatic beta-cell function in adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as its safety and tolerability in this population. Eligible participants are adults aged 18 to 65 years who meet the ADA 2024 diagnostic criteria for type 1 diabetes, have at least 2 positive islet autoantibodies, and have residual beta-cell function as evidenced by a random C-peptide level of at least 200 pmol/L. A total of 96 participants are planned for enrollment, including 32 in the dimethyl fumarate treatment group and 64 in the standard-treatment control group. Participants in the treatment group will receive dimethyl fumarate enteric-coated capsules in addition to standard insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes. Dimethyl fumarate will be initiated at 120 mg twice daily and increased after 7 days to a maintenance dose of 240 mg twice daily. Participants in the control group will receive standard insulin therapy alone. The intervention period will be 24 weeks, followed by 52 weeks of follow-up. The primary efficacy endpoint is the baseline-adjusted geometric mean area under the serum C-peptide curve during a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test at Week 24. Secondary endpoints include measures of beta-cell function at multiple time points, changes in glycated hemoglobin, proportions of participants with good or poor glycemic control, insulin dose requirements, and immunologic markers including lymphocyte subsets, cytokine profiles, and islet autoantibody characteristics. Safety assessments will include the incidence of flushing, gastrointestinal adverse events, allergic reactions, opportunistic infections, liver function abnormalities, lymphopenia, renal abnormalities, hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, ketosis, and ketoacidosis. The total study duration is 36 months, from January 2026 to December 2028.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
96
Dimethyl fumarate enteric-coated capsules, initiated at 120 mg twice daily and increased after 7 days to 240 mg twice daily.
Standard insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes according to routine clinical practice.
Jiangsu Provincial Hospital
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
RECRUITINGBaseline-Adjusted Geometric Mean Area Under the Serum C-Peptide Curve During a 2-Hour Mixed-Meal Tolerance Test
The primary efficacy endpoint is the baseline-adjusted geometric mean area under the serum C-peptide curve during a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT).
Time frame: 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment)
Baseline-Adjusted Geometric Mean Area Under the Serum C-Peptide Curve During a 2-Hour Mixed-Meal Tolerance Test
Baseline-adjusted geometric mean area under the serum C-peptide curve during a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT).
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment) and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change From Baseline in Geometric Mean Area Under the Serum C-Peptide Curve During a 2-Hour Mixed-Meal Tolerance Test
Change from baseline in the geometric mean area under the serum C-peptide curve during a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT).
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of Participants Maintaining Positive C-Peptide Response After a 2-Hour Mixed-Meal Tolerance Test
Number of participants maintaining positive C-peptide response at 52 weeks after end of intervention, defined as a peak C-peptide concentration of at least 200 pmol/L after a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT).
Time frame: 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and change from baseline.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of Participants With Poor Glycemic Control
Number of participants with poor glycemic control, defined as HbA1c greater than 9%.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of Participants With Good Glycemic Control
Number of participants with good glycemic control, defined as HbA1c less than 6.5%.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Average Exogenous Insulin Dose
Average dose of exogenous insulin during the 7 days prior to each study visit, expressed as IU/kg/day.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in proportion of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells
Measured by flow cytometry and reported as percentage of lymphocytes.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in proportion of peripheral blood B cells
Measured by flow cytometry and reported as percentage of lymphocytes.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in proportion of peripheral blood natural killer cells
Measured by flow cytometry and reported as percentage of lymphocytes.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in proportion of peripheral blood regulatory T cells
Measured by flow cytometry and reported as percentage of lymphocytes.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in serum interleukin-6 concentration
Measured in serum
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration
Measured in serum
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in number of positive islet autoantibodies
Count of positive islet autoantibodies among GADA, IA-2A, ZnT8A, ICA, and IAA, reported as an integer from 0 to 5.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody titer
Measured using an assay-specific method and reported in assay-specific units.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Change from baseline in zinc transporter 8 autoantibody titer
Measured using an assay-specific method and reported in assay-specific units.
Time frame: End of intervention (24 weeks after enrollment), 24 weeks after end of intervention (48 weeks after enrollment), and 52 weeks after end of intervention (76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with composite treatment-related symptomatic adverse reactions
Participants with at least one occurrence of any of the following treatment-related symptomatic adverse reactions during the safety follow-up period: flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, rash, erythema, or dyspepsia.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with composite hypersensitivity or opportunistic infection events
Participants with at least one occurrence of any of the following during the safety follow-up period: immediate hypersensitivity reaction, angioedema, or opportunistic infection.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with composite laboratory safety abnormalities
Participants with at least one occurrence of any of the following during the safety follow-up period: elevated aspartate aminotransferase, elevated total bilirubin, or lymphopenia.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with composite renal safety events
Participants with at least one occurrence of any of the following during the safety follow-up period: new-onset or worsening albuminuria, increased serum creatinine, or decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with hypoglycemia
Participants with at least one episode of hypoglycemia during the safety follow-up period.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with severe hypoglycemia
Participants with at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia during the safety follow-up period.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with ketosis
Participants with at least one episode of ketosis during the safety follow-up period.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
Number of participants with diabetic ketoacidosis
Participants with at least one episode of diabetic ketoacidosis during the safety follow-up period.
Time frame: From first dose to 52 weeks after end of intervention (up to 76 weeks after enrollment)
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