Stanford Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance — Nanoparticle Immunomodulation for T1D

Type: immunotherapy

Status: Recruiting

Developer: Stanford University School of Medicine

Breakthrough Summary

Stanford researchers developed an antigen-specific immune tolerance approach using engineered nanoparticles presenting islet autoantigens conjugated to apoptotic signals. In early clinical data (2025), newly diagnosed T1D patients showed preserved C-peptide secretion at 12 months vs. rapid decline in controls.

Mechanism of Action

Biodegradable nanoparticles co-deliver islet autoantigens (insulin B:9-23, GAD65) with phosphatidylserine (apoptotic signal) to splenic antigen-presenting cells. This mimics natural tolerance induction via apoptotic cell clearance, generating islet-specific regulatory T cells without broad immunosuppression.

Year: 2025-2026