N. Engl. J. Med. 381, 603–613 (2019)

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.