Experimental drug may delay development of type 1 diabetes

A 2-week therapy with the experimental drug teplizumab led to a delay in the development of type 1 diabetes in patients from a high-risk group, NBC reported.

Teplizumab contributes to the later development of the disease in people whose relatives have type 1 diabetes. The study involved 76 volunteers aged from 8 to 49 years old who had antibodies associated with diabetes, so they were already at an increased risk of developing diabetes.

According to the data collected, in the group of people receiving Teplizumab, type 1 diabetes developed one year later than those who received placebo: 7% of people who received the experimental drug were diagnosed with diabetes in the first year after starting therapy, while as in the placebo group, this figure was 44%.

No serious side effects were noted either: low lymphocyte counts and fever were the most common.

Teplizumab reduces the activity of autoreactive CD3 + T cells, thereby protecting the beta cells of the pancreas. This is most likely due to its effectiveness in delaying type 1 diabetes.

According to the developer of the drug Provention Bio Inc, it is necessary to conduct additional, more extensive studies before registering teplizumab as a drug.