Century-old TB Vaccine May Aid Type 1 Diabetes Management

Researchers have found that the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, first introduced over 100 years ago to prevent tuberculosis, may help individuals with Type 1 diabetes require less insulin. In early clinical trials, adults with childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes who received six doses of the BCG vaccine demonstrated better long-term blood sugar control and spent more time within a healthy glucose range compared to those given a placebo.

The vaccine also appeared to preserve the body's ability to produce insulin in individuals with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), slowing disease progression and reducing insulin needs. Lead researcher Dr.

Denis Faustman from Massachusetts General Hospital indicated that the results exceeded expectations, suggesting the vaccine could improve diabetes management rather than cure the disease. Dr.

Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health, noted that while the BCG vaccine shows potential, it is not yet considered a replacement for standard insulin therapy until further clinical trials confirm its safety and efficacy.