N. Engl. J. Med. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1902226 (2019)
The onset of type I diabetes can be delayed in individuals who are genetically at risk by using an anti-immune therapy.
Type I diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells that results in hyperglycemia and the dependence of affected individuals on insulin therapy. Immune interventions aim to prevent the loss of beta cells and progression to full type I diabetes. One such therapy is teplizumab, a monoclonal antibody against CD3.
In a clinical trial of 76 participants who are genetically at risk of developing type I diabetes, those given teplizumab developed type I diabetes on average over 2 years later than those given a placebo. This delay will increase the quality of life of patients with diabetes.
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Stower, H. Delaying diabetes onset. Nat Med 25, 1029 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0527-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0527-y