New prospects for immunotherapy at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Immune intervention at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) aims to prevent or reverse the disease by blocking autoimmunity, thereby preserving/restoring beta-cell mass and function. Recent clinical trials of non-specific and of antigen-specific immune therapies have demonstrated the feasibility of modulation of islet-specific autoimmunity in patients with partial prevention of loss of insulin secretion. In a series of review articles published in this issue of the journal, some of the most promising approaches of immune intervention in T1D are presented. Here we outline the rationale of such interventions and future prospects in this area.