Emerging treatments for the prevention of type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Importance of the field: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by a combination of various genetic and environmental factors. Insulin remains the only treatment available for type 1 diabetes. The metabolic and psychological benefits of endogenous insulin cannot be understated for these individuals.

Areas covered in this review: Intervention in type 1 diabetes could occur at various stages of the development of the disease. Recent improvements in our knowledge about the pathophysiology of β-cell destruction have led to the development of new therapeutic agents. Some of the promising strategies include environmental factor modifications, use of insulin, mAb therapies (otelixizumab, rituximab, abatacept), immunosuppression, Diapep 277 or use of GAD65.

What the reader will gain: This is a review of the various strategies for prevention of type 1 diabetes that are currently being evaluated. Data on the efficacy and safety of some of these emerging drugs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes are presented.

Take home message: Some of these new drugs by themselves or by way of opening up new research frontiers may hold the key to the ‘cure’ of type 1 diabetes that millions of people across the globe are hoping for.

Keywords::

• abatacept
• azathioprine
• DiaPep277
• GAD 65
• immunosuppression
• otelixizumab
• rituximab

Notes