The new drug, a humanized monoclonal antibody known as hOKT3g1 (ala-ala), acts far more selectively and requires only a short treatment period compared with the earlier immunosuppressive drugs. The selectivity and shorter use are intended to minimize toxicity, and hOKT3g1 (ala-ala) caused few side effects, the study showed.
The drug was designed to prevent activation of T cells that have already identified their target in this case, the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. In effect, hOKT3g1 (ala-ala) disarms the T cells once they are poised to attack their target, says UCSFs Jeffrey Bluestone.
Dr. Bluestone developed the monoclonal antibody drug in the late 1980s in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson. He designed it to target activated T cells. In addition, the monoclonal antibody was humanized to avoid provoking an immune response in the host against the drug.
Diabetes, with its many long-term complications, ranks fourth among diseases in its cost to society. One million people in the U.S. have Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, in which the immune system destroys the bodys natural insulin-secreting islet cells. Another 15 million people have Type 2 diabetes in which obesity, inactivity and other conditions interfere with the bodys insulin control.
The two-week administration of the new drug is not expected to forestall Type 1 diabetes indefinitely, but it significantly extends the period during which patients continue to produce their own insulin, which is likely to reduce complications and improve their ov
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Contact: Annie Bayne
as862@columbia.edu
212-305-3900
Columbia University Medical Center
29-May-2002