A landmark trial shows that an immunotherapy drug can delay Type 1 diabetes by an average of three years.
Previously, in 2019, researchers from the TrialNet group found that Teplizumaub could delay a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes by two years in people at high risk of developing the condition. Now the researchers have revealed their latest results. They checked on the participants six years after their initial treatment and found that the drug continues to have a positive effect. Those given Teplizumab were less likely to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes than a comparison group given a placebo.
The new results show that 78% of people at high risk of developing Type 1 diabetes in the placebo group were diagnosed with the condition during the trial, compared to 50% of those treated with the drug. The study identified a higher risk of diabetes through a blood test that looks at genetics and specific antibodies in the blood.
The average time for people in the placebo group to develop Type 1 diabetes was two years, while the average time in those taking Teplizumab was five years.
