[Immunosuppression in Type I diabetes mellitus]

The etiopathogenesis of type I or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is not known in details. It is now generally accepted, that type I diabetes is the result of an autoimmune disease. Type I diabetes begins after the destruction of 80-90% of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This knowledge let to immune intervention trials with various immunosuppressive drugs, especially cyclosporine A. These studies are still in an experimental stage. Because of inefficiency and severe side effects of these drugs, the med.-scientific section of the Swiss Diabetes Association recommends not to use immunosuppressive drugs in newly diagnosed patients with type I diabetes.