Common Autoimmune Drug May Help Reverse Immunotherapy-Induced Diabetes
A team of researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has identified a potential new strategy to prevent and reverse immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced type 1 diabetes.
This rare but life-threatening side effect of cancer immunotherapy may be addressed using an existing class of autoimmune drugs, according to a study published in JCI Insight.
The study identifies a new group of immune cells involved in the development of immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced type 1 diabetes.
JAK inhibitors, already FDA-approved for conditions like psoriasis and arthritis, can stop the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and, in some cases, even reverse the damage in preclinical models.
Author's summary: UCLA study finds autoimmune drug may reverse immunotherapy-induced diabetes.