Safety and efficacy of teplizumab in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

To provide updated efficacy and safety information for teplizumab in the treatment of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing teplizumab to placebo for T1DM that reported any of the following outcomes: (1) C-peptide area under the curve (AUC); (2) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; (3) insulin requirements; and (4) adverse events. Heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. p values <0.05 were taken to indicate statistical significance. The continuous endpoints were compared through the pooled mean difference (MD) and binary endpoints were assessed using risk ratios, both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager Web software.

RESULTS

Eight RCTs with 1052 patients (754 receiving teplizumab) were included. Teplizumab significantly increased the AUC of C-peptide levels at 6 (MD 0.10 nmol/L, 95% CI 0.05, 0.16), 12 (MD 0.13 nmol/L, 95% CI 0.06, 0.20), 18 (MD 0.18 nmol/L, 95% CI 0.09, 0.27) and 24 months (MD 0.16 nmol/L, 95% CI 0.02, 0.31), significantly reduced HbA1c levels at 6 (MD -0.57%, 95% CI -1.07, -0.08) and 12 months (MD -0.31%, 95% CI -0.59, -0.02), and significantly reduced insulin requirements at 6 (MD -0.12 U/kg, 95% CI -0.16, -0.08), 12 (MD -0.11 U/kg, 95% CI -0.15, -0.07), 18 (MD -0.17 U/kg, 95% CI -0.26, -0.09) and 24 months (MD -0.11 U/kg, 95% CI -0.22, -0.01).

CONCLUSION

Teplizumab increases AUC of C-peptide levels and decreases HbA1c levels and insulin use, without raising serious adverse event risk.

Role of Teplizumab, a Humanized Anti-CD3 Monoclonal Antibody, in Managing Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Teplizumab has emerged as a potential disease-modifying drug in type 1 diabetes (T1D). This meta-analysis sought to summarize the therapeutic effect of teplizumab in newly diagnosed patients with T1D.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials involving patients with T1D receiving teplizumab in the intervention arm and placebo (or no active intervention) in the control arm were searched throughout the electronic databases. The primary outcome was the change in area under the curve of C-peptide levels from baseline.

RESULTS

Seven reports from 6 studies involving 834 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Compared to teplizumab, greater reductions in area under the curve of C-peptide from the baseline values were observed in the control group after 6 months (mean difference [MD] 0.07 nmol/L [0.01, 0.13], P = .02), after 12 months (MD 0.07 nmol/L [0.04, 0.11], P = .0001), after 18 months (MD 0.10 nmol/L [0.06, 0.14], P < .00001), and after 24 months (MD 0.07 nmol/L [0.01, 0.14], P = .03) of interventions. Moreover, fewer patients treated with teplizumab had a decreased C-peptide response after 6 months (odds ratio [OR] 0.21), after 12 months (OR 0.17), after 18 months (OR 0.30), and after 24 months (OR 0.12) of treatment. The preservation of endogenous insulin production was supported by reduced use of exogenous insulin with maintenance of comparable glycemic control for up to 18 months post-treatment. Teplizumab imparted higher risks of grade 3 or higher adverse events, adverse events leading to study medication discontinuation, nausea, rash, and lymphopenia.

CONCLUSION

The results of the meta-analysis support teplizumab as a promising disease-modifying therapy for newly diagnosed T1D.

[Immunotherapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Az 1-es típusú diabetes mellitus krónikus lefolyású, progrediáló természetű autoimmun betegség. A genetikai, immunológiai és a kezdeti anyagcsere-eltérések jóval megelőzik a klinikai tünetek jelentkezését, ami már régóta felvetette annak lehetőségét, hogy a betegség kialakulását késleltessük, megakadályozzuk, esetleg visszafordítsuk. Sajnos a prevenciót célzó klinikai vizsgálatok sokáig nem hoztak átütő sikert. A közelmúltban azonban az immunológiai kezelés elérte azt a stádiumot, amelyben az intervenció előnyei meghaladják a kezeléssel járó kockázatot. E lehetőségek napi gyakorlatba ültetése, az inzulinkezelés késleltetésének lehetősége át fogja formálni a betegség kezelésének, illetve az 1-es típusú cukorbetegség tekintetében a nagy kockázatú betegek felkutatásának eddigi stratégiáját. A szerzők összefoglalják az e kórforma immunterápiájával kapcsolatos legfontosabb ismereteket. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(10): 363–369.

Approaches to Measuring Beta Cell Reserve and Defining Partial Clinical Remission in Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes

CONTEXT

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to insufficient insulin secretion. At the time of diagnosis of T1D, there is residual beta cell function that declines over the subsequent months to years. Recent interventions have been approved to preserve beta cell function in evolving T1D.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to summarise the approaches used to assess residual beta cell function in evolving T1D, and to highlight potential future directions.

METHODS

Studies including subjects aged 0 to 18 years were included in this review. The following search terms were used; "(type 1 diabetes) and (partial remission)" and "(type 1 diabetes) and (honeymoon)". References of included studies were reviewed to determine if additional relevant studies were eligible.

RESULTS

There are numerous approaches to quantifying beta cell reserve in evolving T1D. These include c-peptide measurement after a mixed meal or glucagon stimuli, fasting c-peptide, the urinary c-peptide/creatinine ratio, insulin dose-adjusted haemoglobin A1c, and other clinical models to estimate beta cell function. Other biomarkers may have a role, including the proinsulin/c-peptide ratio, cytokines, and microRNA. Studies using thresholds to determine if residual beta cell function is present often differ in values used to define remission.

CONCLUSIONS

As interventions are approved to preserve beta cell function, it will become increasingly necessary to quantify residual beta cell function in research and clinical contexts. In this report, we have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the current approaches.

Teplizumab: promises and challenges of a recently approved monoclonal antibody for the prevention of type 1 diabetes or preservation of residual beta cell function

INTRODUCTION

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune endocrinopathy with increasing incidence that results in the depletion of pancreatic beta cells and exogenous insulin dependence. Despite technological advances in insulin delivery, disease control remains suboptimal, while previous immunotherapy options have failed to prevent T1D. Recently, teplizumab, an immunomodulating monoclonal antibody, was approved to delay or prevent T1D.

AREAS COVERED

Five randomized controlled trials have tested different regimens of administration, mostly 14-day schemes with dose escalation. In participants with new-onset T1D, teplizumab delayed C-peptide decline, improved glycemic control, and reduced insulin demand for a median of 1 or 2 years. Studies in at-risk relatives of patients showed a decrease in T1D incidence during 2 years of follow-up. Subgroups of responders with unique metabolic and immunological characteristics were identified. Mild to moderate adverse effects were reported, including transient rash, cytopenia, nausea, vomiting, and infections.

EXPERT OPINION

Teplizumab marks a turning point in T1D therapy. Areas of future research include the ideal population for screening, cost-effectiveness, and challenges in treatment accessibility. More studies are essential to evaluate the ideal duration of the regimen, the potential benefit of combinations with other drugs, and to identify endophenotypes with a high probability of response.

Future is Brighter: New Potential Paradigm-Shifting Medications and Regimens for Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is a chronic illness that can become debilitating owing to its microvascular and macrovascular complications. Its prevalence is increasing and so is its cost. Diabetes, particularly type 2, appears to have a very close relationship with obesity. While lifestyle modifications, exercises, and current therapeutics have substantially improved clinical outcomes, the need for new therapeutics and regimens continue to exist. Several new medications and regimens for diabetes, obesity, and diabesity are showing promising results in advanced clinical trials. For type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), they include teplizumab, ustekinumab, jakinibs, and cell therapies, whereas for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), they include once-weakly insulin, tirzepatide, high oral dose of semaglutide, orforglipron, retatrutide, CagriSema, and survodutide. Given their structural and mechanistic diversity as well as their substantial efficacy and safety profiles, these medications and regimens are paradigm shifting and promise a brighter future. They will likely enable better disease prevention and management. This review will provide details about each of the above strategies to keep the scientific community up to date about progress in the fields of diabetes and obesity.

Efficacy of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in delaying the progression of recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review, meta-analyses and meta-regression

AIM

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is widely recognized as a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the pathogenic destruction of beta cells, resulting in the loss of endogenous insulin production. Insulin administration remains the primary therapy for symptomatic treatment. Recent studies showed that disease-modifying agents, such as anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, have shown promising outcomes in improving the management of the disease. In late 2022, teplizumab received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first disease-modifying agent for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. This review aims to evaluate the clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted up to December 2022 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to quantify the effects. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was employed for quality assessment.

RESULTS

In total, 11 randomized controlled trials involving 1397 participants (908 participants in the intervention arm, 489 participants in the control arm) were included in this review. The mean age of participants was 15 years, and the mean follow-up time was 2.04 years. Teplizumab was the most commonly studied intervention. Compared with placebo, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody treatment significantly increased the C-peptide concentration in the area under the curve at shorter timeframes (mean difference = 0.114, 95% CI: 0.069 to 0.159, p = .000). Furthermore, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the patients' insulin intake across all timeframes (mean difference = -0.123, 95% CI: -0.151 to -0.094, p < .001). However, no significant effect on glycated haemoglobin concentration was observed.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review suggest that anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody treatment increases endogenous insulin production and improves the lifestyle of patients by reducing insulin dosage. Future studies should consider the limitations, including sample size, heterogeneity and duration of follow-up, to validate the generalizability of these findings further.

Teplizumab in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Review

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the irreversible destruction of the β cells of the pancreas, which leads to a lifelong dependency on exogenous insulin. Despite the advancements in insulin delivery methods, the suboptimal outcomes of these methods have triggered the search for therapies that may prevent or reverse the disease. Given the autoimmune aetiology of T1DM, therapies counteracting the immune-mediated destruction of the β-cells are the obvious target. Although several treatment strategies have been attempted to target cellular, humoral and innate immunity, very few have had a clinically meaningful impact. Of all the available immunomodulatory agents, cluster of differentiation (CD) 3 antibodies have exhibited the most promising preclinical and clinical results. Muromonab-CD3, which also happened to be a murine CD3 antibody, was the first monoclonal antibody approved for clinical use and was primarily indicated for graft rejection. The adverse effects associated with muromonab-CD3 led to its withdrawal. Teplizumab, a newer CD3 antibody, has a better side-effect profile because of its humanized nature and non-Fc-receptor-binding domain. In November 2022, teplizumab became the first immunomodulatory agent to be licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for delaying the onset of T1DM in high-risk adults and children over 8 years old. The mechanism seems to be enhancing regulatory T-cell activity and promoting immune tolerance. This article reviews the mechanism of action and the clinical trials of teplizumab in individuals with T1DM or at risk of developing the disease.

Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes: Current Perspective

People living with type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and their families have poor perception of health related quality of life. Therapies for T1D are becoming better with time, but they still involve a lot of effort. Prevention of T1D, if successful, has potential to change lives of millions of families across the globe. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease with underlying genetic predisposition for autoimmunity against beta cell antigens upon exposure to an environmental trigger. Identifying underlying primary antigen responsible for initiating autoimmune cascade, avoiding environmental trigger and modifying immunity has all been used as strategies for preventing or delaying onset of type 1 diabetes. Primary prevention for type 1 diabetes is hindered by difficulty in identifying at-risk population and also due to lack of effective preventive strategy. Secondary prevention, in children with presence of autoimmunity, has recently received a boost with approval of Teplizumab, an immunity modifying drug by its Anti-CD3 action. Application of preventive strategies would also change based on country specific incidence, prevalence and availability of health resources. In current review, an update on preventive strategies for type 1 diabetes is being discussed as well as their applicability in Indian context.

Lessons and Gaps in the Prediction and Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a serious chronic autoimmune condition. Even though the root cause of T1D development has yet to be determined, enough is known about the natural history of T1D pathogenesis to allow study of interventions that may delay or even prevent the onset of hyperglycemia and clinical T1D. Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of beta cell autoimmunity in asymptomatic people at high genetic risk for T1D. Secondary prevention strategies aim to preserve functional beta cells once autoimmunity is present, and tertiary prevention aims to initiate and extend partial remission of beta cell destruction after the clinical onset of T1D. The approval of teplizumab in the United States to delay the onset of clinical T1D marks an impressive milestone in diabetes care. This treatment opens the door to a paradigm shift in T1D care. People with T1D risk need to be identified early by measuring T1D related islet autoantibodies. Identifying people with T1D before they have symptoms will facilitate better understanding of pre-symptomatic T1D progression and T1D prevention strategies that may be effective.

Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes: A literature review

DISCLAIMER

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

PURPOSE

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of beta cells, resulting in a loss of insulin production. Patients with T1D carry a substantial disease burden as well as substantial short-term and long-term risks associated with inadequate glycemic control. Currently, treatment mainly consists of insulin, which only treats the symptoms of T1D and not the root cause. Thus, disease-modifying agents such as anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target the autoimmune destruction of beta cells in T1D would provide significant relief and health benefits for patients with T1D. This review summarizes the clinical evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of anti-CD3 mAbs in the prevention and treatment of T1D.

SUMMARY

A total of 27 studies reporting or evaluating data from clinical trials involving otelixizumab and teplizumab were included in the review. Anti-CD3 mAbs have shown significant benefits in both patients at high risk for T1D and those with recent-onset T1D. In high-risk populations, anti-CD3 mAbs delayed time to diagnosis, preserved C-peptide levels, and improved metabolic parameters. In recent-onset T1D, anti-CD3 mAbs preserved C-peptide levels and reduced insulin needs for extended periods. Anti-CD3 mAb therapy appears to be safe, with primarily transient and self-limiting adverse effects and no negative long-term effects.

CONCLUSION

Anti-CD3 mAbs are promising disease-modifying treatments for T1D. Their role in T1D may introduce short-term and long-term benefits with the potential to mitigate the significant disease burden; however, more evidence is required for an accurate assessment.

Pseudo-pheochromocytoma due to obstructive sleep apnea: a case report

SUMMARY

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition of intermittent nocturnal upper airway obstruction. OSA increases sympathetic drive which may result in clinical and biochemical features suggestive of pheochromocytoma. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with a 2.9-cm left adrenal incidentaloma on CT, hypertension, symptoms of headache, anxiety and diaphoresis, and persistently elevated 24-h urine norepinephrine (initially 818 nmol/day (89-470)) and normetanephrine (initially 11.2 µmol/day (0.6-2.7)). He was started on prazosin and underwent left adrenalectomy. Pathology revealed an adrenal corticoadenoma with no evidence of pheochromocytoma. Over the next 2 years, urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine remained significantly elevated with no MIBG avid disease. Years later, he was diagnosed with severe OSA and treated with continuous positive airway pressure. Urine testing done once OSA was well controlled revealed complete normalization of urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine with substantial symptom improvement. It was concluded that the patient never had a pheochromocytoma but rather an adrenal adenoma with biochemistry and symptoms suggestive of pheochromocytoma due to untreated severe OSA. Pseudo-pheochromocytoma is a rare presentation of OSA and should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines in the right clinical setting.

LEARNING POINTS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition among adults. OSA may rarely present as pseudo-pheochromocytoma with symptoms of pallor, palpitations, perspiration, headache, or anxiety. OSA should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines, especially in patients with negative metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan results.

Investigational therapies targeting CD3 for prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) have been the focus of intense research over the past few decades; nevertheless, the results of clinical trials have not matched expectations. However, thanks to the recent and promising results on T1D prevention, among all the different immune-intervention tested strategies, clinical evidence on anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) deserve particular attention and in-depth evaluation.

AREAS COVERED

In this narrative review, we introduce the role of T-cells and their co-receptor CD3 in the pathogenesis of T1D and examine the potential of anti-CD3 mAbs as a treatment for preventing or curing T1D. We discuss pre-clinical studies, phase II/III clinical trials, testing the anti-CD3 mAb teplizumab in subjects at T1D high risk, and testing teplizumab and otelixizumab in T1D recent onset patients. In this work we discuss the current evidence gathered on anti-CD3 therapy to offer insights on the treatment strengths, limitations and unmet needs.

EXPERT OPINION

Recent phase II clinical trials with teplizumab in recent-onset T1D seem encouraging, but benefits associated with the use of anti-CD3 mAb in recent-onset T1D are still controversial. A better patient selection, based on immunological profiles and specific biomarkers, is crucial to improve clinical outcomes in T1D immunotherapies.

Insulin is necessary but not sufficient: changing the therapeutic paradigm in type 1 diabetes

Despite the clear evidence that type 1 diabetes (T1D) begins well before hyperglycemia is evident, there are no clinically available disease-modifying therapies for early-stage disease. However, following the exciting results of the Teplizumab Prevention Study, the first study to demonstrate that overt T1D can be delayed with immunotherapy, there is renewed optimism that in the future, T1D will be treated before hyperglycemia develops. A different treatment paradigm is needed, as a majority of people with T1D do not meet the glycemic targets that are associated with a lower risk of T1D complications and therefore remain vulnerable to complications and shortened life expectancy. The following review will outline the history and current status of immunotherapy for T1D and highlight some challenges and ideas for the future. Although such efforts have been worldwide, we will focus particularly on the activities of Diabetes TrialNet, a National Institutes of Health consortium launched in 2004.