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How biologics targeting the IL‐1 system are being considered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Author(s) -
BöniSchnetzler Marianne,
Donath Marc Y.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04297.x
Subject(s) - islet , immune system , inflammation , medicine , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus , insulin , type 1 diabetes , insulin resistance , immunology , cytokine , endocrinology , beta cell
Metabolic diseases are associated with activation of the innate immune system in various tissues and characterized by elevated inflammatory factors and the presence of immune cells. Type 2 diabetes develops when islet beta cells are deficient in producing sufficient insulin to overcome peripheral insulin resistance. Intra‐islet IL‐1β activity diminishes beta cell function and survival and governs islet inflammation. Targeting the IL‐1 system with the IL‐1 receptor antagonist IL1Ra improved insulin secretion, glycaemia and reduced systemic inflammation in a proof of concept study with patients with type 2 diabetes. Currently, long lasting and specific IL‐1β blocking antibodies are being evaluated in clinical trials and this may lead to a novel cytokine‐based treatment for type 2 diabetes.