Prevention and cure of juvenile diabetes. In our lifetime?

Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of IDDM have allowed us to consider potentially curative therapies for IDDM. A number of interventional strategies may be effective in halting beta-cell destruction and preventing the clinical expression of IDDM. Successful implementation of these strategies will be dependent upon the identification of individuals at high risk for developing IDDM. Similarly, technological advances in immunoisolation technology and porcine islet isolation may allow transplants for large numbers of diabetics sufficiently early in the disease to prevent complications. All of these developments make it likely that prevention and cure of IDDM will be possible in our lifetime.