The invention provides compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines for the treatment, amelioration and/or prophylaxis of diabetes, preferably of type II diabetes. The compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines of the invention comprise a core particle and an antigen, wherein said antigen comprises an interleukin-1 (IL-1) molecule. When administered to an animal, preferably to a human, said compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and vaccines induce efficient immune responses, in particular antibody responses, wherein typically and preferably said antibody responses are directed against IL-1. Thus, the invention provides methods of treating, ameliorating or preventing diabetes, preferably type II diabetes, by way of active immunization against IL-1.