Early intervention in pediatric type 1 diabetes may help preserve residual beta cell function and improve long-term outcomes. These results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Conference 2025, highlighting verapamil’s potential as a beta cell-protective therapy in children.

The multicenter CLVR trial investigated the effects of daily oral verapamil on chromogranin A, a beta cell granule protein and known autoantigen, in children aged 7 to 17 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the previous 31 days. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at weeks 13, 26, 39, and 52.

Chromogranin A levels were analyzed using ELISA and compared between verapamil and placebo groups using a longitudinal mixed-effects model adjusted for age, time from diagnosis, and clinical care approach.

Results showed that chromogranin A levels decreased by week 13 in the verapamil-treated group and remained lower than placebo through 52 weeks. By the end of the study, verapamil-treated children had chromogranin A levels of 4.7 ng/mL compared to 9.9 ng/mL in the placebo group. The reductions corresponded with partial preservation of C-peptide, suggesting improved beta cell function. These findings support the use of chromogranin A as a potential biomarker for monitoring therapeutic responses in pediatric type 1 diabetes.