Teplizumab delays type 1 diabetes onset in the UK

A new therapy, teplizumab, can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for years by targeting the immune system before symptoms appear. This groundbreaking treatment offers a potential shift in how the disease is managed. Teplizumab, already approved in the US, is being administered in the UK to patients identified early through screening. The drug works by retraining the immune system to prevent the destruction of insulin-producing cells, potentially delaying the need for insulin therapy. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting roughly one in 200 people. Early detection through blood tests is crucial for teplizumab to be effective, as it aims to intercept the disease before significant damage occurs.