The onset of type 1 diabetes can be delayed in individuals who are genetically at risk by using an anti-immune therapy.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, which results in hyperglycemia, leading affected individuals to become dependent on lifelong insulin therapy. Immune interventions aim to prevent the loss of β-cells and progression to full type 1 diabetes. One such therapy is teplizumab, a monoclonal antibody.
In a clinical trial of 76 participants who were genetically at risk of developing type 1 diabetes, those given teplizumab developed type 1 diabetes on average over 2 years later than those given a placebo.
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Stower, H. Delaying diabetes onset. Nat Med 25, 1798 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0681-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0681-2