Health Rounds Newsletter

June 10 – Recent studies show promising early findings for better treatments for C. difficile-related diarrhea, as well as the development of the first vaccine aimed at preventing Lassa fever.

Older Immunotherapy Aids Blood Sugar Management in Type 1 Diabetes

A small trial indicated that an established immune system treatment significantly improved blood sugar control in adults who have lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood, even in the absence of a functioning pancreas. Participants who received six doses of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) over five years demonstrated notable reductions in HbA1c levels, which measure glucose control over time, as reported at the American Diabetes Association meeting in New Orleans.

BCG, a vaccine created in 1921 primarily to combat tuberculosis, also led to a marked decrease in insulin usage. Continuous monitoring of glucose levels revealed an impressive improvement, with blood sugar levels remaining in the normal range significantly longer, without increased instances of low blood sugar.

“Many patients in the trial managed to normalize their blood sugar,” the researchers shared.

While research on immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes has largely focused on stopping the body’s autoimmune assault on the insulin-producing pancreas, it’s worth noting that type 1 diabetes encompasses more than just autoimmunity, according to Dr. Denise Faustman of Massachusetts General Hospital.

She highlighted that individuals with this condition have a metabolic issue where their white blood cells prefer using fat as energy instead of sugar, a stark contrast to those without diabetes. If white blood cells are not effectively managing blood sugars, it leads to unusual fluctuations, “independent of the pancreas,” she noted.

In the trial with 34 adults receiving BCG shots, improvements were stark compared to the 24 individuals who received placebo shots. The immunotherapy triggered a series of beneficial changes in the malfunctioning white blood cells.

Unlike traditional insulin injections, which can result in sharp drops and rebounds in blood sugar, the revitalized white blood cells help maintain a more stable glucose level, Faustman explained. “This marks the first instance where an immunotherapy has shown efficacy in long-standing type 1 diabetes,” she commented, emphasizing that it operates independently of the pancreas.

“It’s a safe drug that, with limited dosing, normalizes blood sugar levels. Over time, that could prevent complications,” she added. The BCG vaccine is administered to over 100 million newborns worldwide annually, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Lab-Grown Bacteria for Treating C. Difficile Diarrhea

Researchers are exploring the potential of factory-produced bacteria to substitute for fecal matter in treating severe recurring diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile. This condition often arises following antibiotic treatments that disrupt gut bacteria, allowing C. difficile to flourish.

Typically, patients with recurring symptoms undergo fecal microbiota transplants, relying on healthy donors’ stool to restore microbial balance. In a pilot study, a new treatment was developed using 15 strains of healthy bacteria, initially sourced from donors and then mass-produced in labs.

Eight weeks post-treatment, the recurrence of C. difficile diarrhea was averted in seven out of nine patients given the lab-based bacteria, and in eight out of nine receiving standard fecal microbiota. Importantly, there were no problems associated with the treatment.

The lab-grown product may offer advantages for manufacturing and standardization compared to traditional stool-based treatments. “By pinpointing the exact bacterial strains used, we can improve understanding of how therapies function while enhancing safety and scalability,” said Dr. Ari Grinspan from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.

Promising Lassa Fever Vaccine in Early Trials

An experimental vaccine designed to combat both Lassa fever and rabies has shown promise, generating safe immune responses against both viruses, as reported in Nature Medicine. Currently, there are no vaccines available for Lassa fever, which the World Health Organization regards as a public health threat in Western Africa, similar to Ebola.

Regions prone to Lassa fever frequently face high rates of rabies as well. The U.S. trial involved 54 healthy volunteers receiving various doses of the vaccine, yielding no serious adverse effects while inciting strong antibody responses against both viruses.

Further investigation into vaccine safety and immune responses is set for around 13 months after vaccination. If the effects hold steady, researchers plan to advance to larger trials.

Interestingly, the investigational vaccine can be freeze-dried, making it easier to distribute to areas where cold storage is challenging. Last year, even before any outcomes were available, the trial was featured in Nature Medicine’s “Eleven clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2026,” highlighting its significant potential to address crucial unmet health needs.