Summary
T cell directed therapy, anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), in low doses, has been shown to lower HbA1c and preserve endogenous insulin production (measured by C-peptide) in individuals with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, not all individuals who received ATG responded to the therapy (i.e., non-responders). Additionally, use of ATG alone does not address inherent beta cell stress. A calcium channel blocker, verapamil, has demonstrated C-peptide preservation in newly diagnosed T1D. Investigators will identify those mostly likely to respond to ATG using an ex vivo predictive biomarker of response to ATG. In addition, Investigators will use sequential therapies to increase efficacy (ATG followed by verapamil) and explore synergistic mechanisms. This will be assessing with in depth immunophenotyping and quantify biomarkers of beta cell stress, cell death, and abnormal prohormone processing. Finally, novel clinical trial endpoints will be assessed for their ability to predict treatment efficacy earlier than the standard endpoint at 1 year.
Detailed Description
Investigators will conduct a phase 2 1:1 randomized controlled and blinded trial in Aim 1 comparing stimulated C-peptide (and other measures) between those treated with low-dose ATG and those treated with placebo. Co-primary endpoints include the difference between mean ATG and placebo values of the 2-hr mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT)-stimulated area under the curve (AUC) C-peptide at 12 months (standard T1D trial measure) and the difference between the change in the same measure over the first 6 months. Participants will be stratified based on their ex vivo immune responder signature to allow an equal number of "responders" and "non-responders" in both treatment arms. Following each participant's completion of this 1 year randomized controlled trial (RCT) they will enter Aim 2 and be re-randomized to received verapamil or not in an open-label 1 year extension where mechanistic endpoints will be explored related to immunophenotyping, gene expression, DNA methylation and beta cell markers including markers of beta cell stress and death as well as markers of abnormal prohormone processing.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 6 years to 35 years
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Must be \>= 6 years \<= 35
2. Must have a diagnosis of T1D for less than 100 days at randomization
3. Willing to provide Informed Consent or have a parent or legal guardian provide informed consent if the subject is \<18 years of age
4. Positive for at least one islet cell autoantibody; GAD65A, mIAA, if obtained within 10 days of the onset of insulin therapy, IA-2A, ICA, or ZnT8A
5. Must have stimulated C-peptide levels of 0.2 pmol/ml measured during a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) conducted at least 21 days from diagnosis of diabetes. Randomization should occur within one month (37 days) of the MMTT.
6. Subjects who are EBV seronegative at screening must be EBV PCR negative within 30 days of randomization and may not have had signs or symptoms of an EBV compatible illness lasting longer than 7 days within 30 days of randomization
7. Be at least 6 weeks from last live immunization
8. Participants are required to receive killed influenza vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to randomization when vaccine for the current or upcoming flu season is available
9. Be willing to forgo live vaccines during the treatment period and for 3 months following last dose of study drug
10. Be willing to comply with intensive diabetes management
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Be immunodeficient or have clinically significant chronic lymphopenia: (Leukopenia (\< 3,000 leukocytes /μL), neutropenia (\<1,500 neutrophils/μL), lymphopenia (\<800 lymphocytes/μL), or thrombocytopenia (\<100,000 platelets/μL).
2. Have active signs or symptoms of acute infection at the time of randomization
3. Have evidence of prior or current tuberculosis infection as assessed by PPD, interferon gamma release assay or by history
4. Be currently pregnant or lactating, or anticipate getting pregnant within the two year study period
5. Require use of other immunosuppressive agents including chronic use of systemic steroids
6. Have evidence of current or past HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection
7. Have any complicating medical issues or abnormal clinical laboratory results that may interfere with study conduct, or cause increased risk to include pre-existing cardiac disease, COPD, sickle cell disease, neurological, or blood count abnormalities
8. Have a history of malignancies other than skin
9. Evidence of liver dysfunction with AST or ALT greater than 3 times the upper limits of normal
10. Evidence of renal dysfunction with creatinine greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal
11. Vaccination with a live virus within the last 6 weeks
12. Current or ongoing use of non-insulin pharmaceuticals that affect glycemic control within prior 7 days of screening
13. Active participation in another T1D treatment study in the previous 30 days
14. Prior treatment with any investigational agent to delay beta cell loss in T1D
15. Known allergy to ATG or Verapamil
16. Prior treatment with ATG, Verapamil or known allergy to rabbit derived products
17. Any condition that in the investigator's opinion may adversely affect study participation or may compromise the study results