GAD-Alum (Diamyd) Administered Into Lymph Nodes in Combination With Vitamin D in Type 1 Diabetes (DIAGNODE-1)

Open Label Pilot Trial in Adults With Recent-onset T1D to Evaluate the Safety, Diabetes Status and Immune Response of GAD-antigen (Diamyd®) Therapy Administered Into Lymph Nodes in Combination With an Oral Vitamin D Regimen

The objectives of the main study is to:

• Evaluate the safety of giving GAD-Alum (Glutamic acid decarboxylase) (Diamyd) directly into lymph glands in combination with an oral vitamin D regimen
• Evaluate how the above mentioned treatments influence the immune system and endogenous insulin secretion.

The objective of the sub-study is to:

• Evaluate safety after a fourth injection with 4 μg GAD-Alum direct into an inguinal lymph gland in 3 adult patients from the main study
• Evaluate how the above mentioned treatment influences the immune system and endogenous insulin secretion.

Eligible patients will be treated with 4 µg GAD-Alum into an inguinal lymph gland at three occasions, with one month intervals in combination with Vitamin D (14 000 IU/week) for 4 months, starting 1 month prior to first GAD-Alum injection.

A sub-study will include three adult patients from the main study and evaluate safety after a fourth injection with 4 μg GAD-Alum into an inguinal lymph gland in combination with oral vitamin D intake. The Prolonged Extension Study Period is 12 months and will start 30,5 months after baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Informed consent given by patients
2. Type 1 diabetes according to the ADA (American Diabetes Association) classification with < 6 months diabetes duration
3. Age 12.00-29.99 years at diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes
4. Fasting C-peptide ≥0.12 nmol/L
5. Pos GADA(Antibodies to GAD with molecular mass 65,000) but < 50 000 random units
6. Females must agree to avoid pregnancy and have a negative urine pregnancy test
7. Patients of childbearing potential must agree to using adequate contraception, until 1 year after the last administration of GAD-Alum.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous or current treatment with immunosuppressant therapy (although topical or inhaled steroids are accepted)
2. Continuous treatment with any inflammatory drug (sporadic treatment e.g. because of headache or in connection with fever a few days will be accepted)
3. Treatment with any oral or injected anti-diabetic medications other than insulin
4. Treatment with Vitamin D, marketed or not, or unwilling to abstain from such medication during the trial
5. A history of anaemia or significantly abnormal haematology results at screening
6. A history of epilepsy, head trauma or cerebro-vascular accident, or clinical features of continuous motor unit activity in proximal muscles
7. Clinically significant history of acute reaction to vaccines or other drugs in the past
8. Treatment with any vaccine, including influenza vaccine, within 4 months prior to planned first study drug dose or planned treatment with any vaccine up to 4 months after the last injection with study drug.
9. Participation in other clinical trials with a new chemical entity within the previous 3 months
10. Inability or unwillingness to comply with the provisions of this protocol
11. A history of alcohol or drug abuse
12. A significant illness other than diabetes within 2 weeks prior to first dosing
13. Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis
14. Females who are lactating or pregnant (the possibility of pregnancy must be excluded by urine βHCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) on-site within 24 hours prior to the GAD-Alum treatment)
15. Males or females not willing to use adequate contraception until 1 year after the last GAD-Alum treatment
16. Presence of associated serious disease or condition, including active skin infections that preclude subcutaneous injection, which in the opinion of the investigator makes the patient non-eligible for the study
17. Deemed by the investigator not being able to follow instructions and/or follow the study protocol