Study Overview
TUESDAY, Sept. 23, 2025 — A new study presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna reports that baricitinib, a pill commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and alopecia, may help slow the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Key Findings
Baricitinib safely preserved the body’s own insulin production in individuals newly diagnosed with T1D. However, disease progression resumed once treatment was stopped, with patients exhibiting reduced insulin production and less stable blood glucose levels.
Background and Rationale
Pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes
T1D arises when the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As insulin production declines and eventually ceases, patients become lifelong dependent on insulin injections to manage blood glucose levels.
Mechanism of Baricitinib
Baricitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that suppresses immune-activating signals. It is already approved for autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and alopecia. Researchers hypothesized that it could protect beta cells in newly diagnosed T1D patients.
Study Design
Participants: 91 individuals aged 10–30 years, diagnosed with T1D within the previous 100 days
Intervention: Randomized to receive daily baricitinib or placebo for 48 weeks
Follow-up: Additional assessments at weeks 72 and 96 (post-treatment period)
Efficacy Results
During Treatment (Weeks 1–48)
Baricitinib treatment:
Preserved beta-cell function
Reduced blood glucose fluctuations
Decreased insulin requirements
Post-Treatment Period (Weeks 49–96)
After stopping baricitinib at week 48, blood glucose control deteriorated, matching that of the placebo group by weeks 72 and 96
Former baricitinib patients ultimately required the same insulin dose as placebo patients
Expert Commentary
Lead Researcher Statement
“Among the promising agents shown to preserve beta-cell function in T1D, baricitinib stands out because it can be taken orally, is well tolerated, including by young children, and is clearly efficacious,” said lead researcher Michaela Waibel, an immunologist at Australia’s St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research.
Future Directions
Waibel emphasized the need for further trials:
To determine if treatment benefits can be sustained long-term
To evaluate whether earlier intervention can prevent or delay clinical T1D diagnosis
She expressed hope that phase III trials will soon begin, targeting both recently diagnosed patients and those in earlier disease stages, with potential approval for T1D within five years
Important Note
Findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
