Immunotherapies

This resource on Type 1 Diabetes Research was created in partnership with JDRF, an active partner of Beyond Type 1 at the time of publication, through the JDRF – Beyond Type 1 Alliance.

In people living with type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakes the insulin-producing beta cells as foreign objects and attacks them. Over time, people with type 1 diabetes are left with none of these beta cells, and therefore cannot produce their own insulin.

But what would happen if we could stop this immune response that attacks beta cells? This is the focus of immunotherapy research into curing type 1 diabetes. Current research is looking

• how to prevent the immune system from attacking the islet cells in the first place
• ways of slowing down or stopping the autoimmune response once it has begun in recently-diagnosed patients still in the honeymoon phase
• how to stop the immune system from attacking implanted beta cells in conjunction with beta cell therapy

Ultimately, a biological cure for type 1 diabetes will likely involve a combination of beta cell therapy and immunotherapy, to both restore functioning beta cells, as well as protect them from the autoimmune response.

Go Inside the Lab with JDRF to Learn More!

Immune Therapy: Research in Boston

What makes these scientists believe they can redirect the body’s immune response to find cures for type 1 diabetes (T1D)?

To learn more about all the great T1D research being funded by JDRF, visit their research and impact page here.