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Study finds common vaccine could reverse advanced cases of diabetes

A new study out of Massachusetts General Hospital may provide some good news to those with Type 1 diabetes.

According to the study, co-authored by Dennis Faustman of Massachusetts General Hospital, a common vaccine for tuberculosis could reverse advanced cases of diabetes by permanently lowering blood sugar levels.

The student found that three years after injecting the vaccine, called BCG, blood sugar levels in the study's subject fell, and remained at near-normal levels five years later.

"Currently our trials are aimed at reversing it once you've had it," Faustman said. "And these trials are also pretty unique in that you're dealing with people who've had diabetes for 10, 15, 20 years."

Type 1 diabetes is considered an auto-immune disease, attacking and killing the special cells in the body that secrete insulin.

In mice, researchers found the BCG vaccine lowers blood sugar by regenerating those cells.

However, those researchers were surprised to find out that it doesn't work in the same way for humans.

"We could observe that their white blood cells were eating the extra sugar in their blood," Faustman said.

Daniel Biundo, a high school freshman diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was six-years-old, has been dealing with the diabetes routine for close to his entire life.

"I remember in the beginning, my parents would have to chase me around the house to give shots," Biundo said. "I feel like that's normal for kids."

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Now, he's wondering what life would be like without the disease.

"I feel like it would be liberating," Biundo said. "It's so much on your shoulders, and to have that be gone, it would be great."