Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in children and young adults. People who have type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose (a type of sugar) get into cells. For good health, you need a finely-tuned balance of insulin and glucose.

The immune system of people with type 1 diabetes slowly destroys the beta cells. When your immune system attacks your own cells, it's called an autoimmune attack. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.

The destruction of beta cells doesn't happen overnight. It goes on for years. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes usually comes when about 90 percent of the beta cells have been destroyed.

At this point, the person needs injected insulin. But the few beta cells that are left continue to help the body control blood glucose levels. This is called the “honeymoon” period. In most people, the honeymoon lasts a few weeks to a few months. In a few people, it lasts longer.

In the Protégé study, we are trying to help the honeymoon last longer by protecting the beta cells that are still left at diagnosis. This may allow people to make at least a little insulin of their own. Then they may be able to control their blood glucose levels better than people who don't produce any insulin. Better control of blood glucose over the long term has been shown to reduce the risk of blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage.