Open-Label Study of Dimethyl Fumarate in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Recruiting now · Phase 2/Phase 3

Conditions studied: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

In brief

This is a non-randomized, parallel-controlled, single-center, open-label clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in preserving pancreatic beta-cell function in adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as its safety and tolerability in this population. Eligible participants are adults aged 18 to 65 years who meet the ADA 2024 diagnostic criteria for type 1 diabetes, have at least 2 positive islet autoantibodies, and have residual beta-cell function as evidenced by a random C-peptide level of at least 200 pmol/L. A total of 96 participants are planned for enrollment, including 32 in the dimethyl fumarate treatment group and 64 in the standard-treatment control group. Participants in the treatment group will receive dimethyl fumarate enteric-coated capsules in addition to standard insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes. Dimethyl fumarate will be initiated at 120 mg twice daily and increased after 7 days to a maintenance dose of 240 mg twice daily. Participants in the control group will receive standard insulin therapy alone. The intervention period will be 24 weeks, followed by 52 weeks of follow-up. The primary efficacy endpoint is the baseline-adjusted geometric mean area under the serum C-peptide curve during a 2-hour mixed-meal tolerance test at Week 24. Secondary endpoints include measures of beta-cell function at multiple time points, changes in glycated hemoglobin, proportions of participants with good or poor glycemic control, insulin dose requirements, and immunologic markers including lymphocyte subsets, cytokine profiles, and islet autoantibody characteristics. Safety assessments will include the incidence of flushing, gastrointestinal adverse events, allergic reactions, opportunistic infections, liver function abnormalities, lymphopenia, renal abnormalities, hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, ketosis, and ketoacidosis. The total study duration is 36 months, from January 2026 to December 2028.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07548996
Run by: Nanjing Medical University
People needed: 96
Starts: 2026-04-27
Expected to finish: 2028-12-31
Last updated by the study team: 2026-07-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Willing and able to participate in the study and provide signed informed consent
Aged 18 to 65 years
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus according to ADA 2024 criteria
Positive for at least 2 islet autoantibodies among insulin autoantibody (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADA), insulinoma-associated protein 2 autoantibody (IA-2A), islet cell antibody (ICA), and zinc transporter 8 autoantibody (ZnT8A)
Random C-peptide level greater than or equal to 200 pmol/L
Note:
For participants who have used insulin for more than 14 days, a positive IAA result must be accompanied by at least 2 additional positive autoantibodies other than IAA

You may not qualify if…

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, positive urine pregnancy test at screening, or inability to rule out pregnancy in the opinion of the investigator
Good glycemic control with oral antidiabetic drugs alone
Participation in other studies involving diabetes treatment or immunomodulation
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal
Patients with renal insufficiency or evidence of renal impairment:
eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²; or other renal diseases considered by the investigator to be unsuitable for study enrollment
History of malignancy, uncontrolled immune system disease, or uncontrolled infection
Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, psychiatric disorder, or other conditions considered unsuitable for participation in a drug trial
Use of other immunosuppressive agents within 12 weeks before enrollment
Participation in any other drug trial within 12 weeks before enrollment
History of multiple drug allergies, allergic diseases, hypersensitivity constitution, or drug dependence
Any disease or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with study participation or evaluation

Where it is running

Jiangsu Provincial Hospital — Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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