Is it possible to prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in children with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes by adding insulin powder to their diet? This is what we want to find out with our prevention study POInT (Primary Oral Insulin Trial). We have now reached an important milestone and completed the recruitment phase in March.

The first child was enrolled in the study in February 2018. In March 2021, the time had finally come: the last child was included at our site in Oxford (England). A total of 1,050 children are now enrolled in the POInT study.

The body's own immune system, which primarily serves to defend against pathogenic germs, is directed against the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) in the so-called "islets" of the pancreas and destroys them. In the study, we are trying to train the immune system so that a mistaken immune reaction does not occur - because this is exactly what happens in people with the disease. The intention of POInT is to prevent the development of type 1 diabetes through the daily administration of insulin powder.

Although it is no longer possible for other interested families to participate, the study has not ended. The participating children take the insulin or placebo preparation for 29 to 32 months. After the beginning of this so-called intervention period, the development of the immune response will be followed up for 54 months.

The first study results are expected in 2024. The end of the study is planned for 2025. The study management would like to thank all active study participants and the entire GPPAD study team for their dedicated commitment.

Interested parents whose newborns have been diagnosed with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes have now the opportunity to participate in our new prevention study SINT1A.