An NIH funded study finds immunotherapy slows progression to clinical disease by 2 years or more using a treatment affecting the immune system. The study is the first to show that clinical type 1 diabetes can be delayed by two or more years among people who are at high risk. “The difference in outcomes was striking. This discovery is the first evidence we’ve seen that clinical type 1 diabetes can be delayed with early preventive treatment,” said Lisa Spain, Ph.D., Project Scientist from the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

The study, involving treatment with an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (teplizumab), was conducted by Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet(link is external), an international collaboration aimed at discovering ways to delay or prevent type 1 diabetes. 76 participants ages 8-49 who were relatives of people with type 1 diabetes, had at least two types of diabetes-related autoantibodies (proteins made by the immune system), and abnormal glucose (sugar) tolerance were enrolled in the study.

The participants were randomly assigned to either the control group, which received a placebo or the treatment group, which received a 14-day course of teplizumab. Participants received glucose tolerance tests regularly until the study was completed or they developed type 1 diabetes – whichever came first.

Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, NIDDK Director stated, “This trial illustrates how decades of research on the biology of type 1 diabetes can lead to promising treatments that have a real impact on people’s lives. We’re very excited to see the next steps in this research.”

Dr. Veronica Piziak will be speaking on the topic of Diabetes at the upcoming Focus on Women’s Health Conference, July 15-18 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Visit sma.org/womens-health for additional information.