Breakthrough Drug for Type 1 Diabetes Approved in the UK

How Teplizumab Targets the Root Cause
Unlike previous treatments that have focused on managing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, teplizumab addresses the underlying cause of the condition. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Teplizumab is a monoclonal antibody that works by binding to CD3 receptors on the surface of T-cells, which are the immune cells responsible for this attack. By modulating the T-cell immune response, the drug can deactivate the "autoreactive" T-cells that are targeting the beta cells, while also increasing the number of regulatory T-cells that help to moderate the immune system. This innovative approach helps to preserve the remaining beta-cell function.