A monoclonal antibody to treat diabetes?

[31 January 2011 - 17h37]

Renal insufficiency is one of the serious complications of diabetes and can lead to dialysis. At present there is no medication available that can hold up this process but a monoclonal antibody currently being researched may now make this possible.

A US-German alliance between the Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim laboratories was recently formed to develop what could become the first treatment for diabetes based on the anti-TGF beta monoclonal antibody. “TGF beta is a growth factor believed to be involved in the development of fibrosis. This plays a part in reducing renal function, eventually leading to renal insufficiency”, explains Dr Myriam Rosilio, director of the endocrine and diabetes medical unit at Lilly France. “The monoclonal antibody that targets this growth factor could delay the need for diabetics suffering from renal insufficiency to undergo dialysis.”. This is a major objective because dialysis treatment is very arduous and seriously affects a patient’s quality of life. Each year, in France, 3,000 diabetics start dialysis treatment.

For the moment, there is no effective treatment for this complication of diabetes. “Once a patient is in pre-dialysis, there is nothing to be done and the only treatment for chronic, terminal renal insufficiency is dialysis – or a kidney transplant”, Dr Rosilio points out. So this monoclonal antibody really offers hope … though a distant hope. Clinical trials are currently at a very early stage – phase II – and the new treatment will not be on the market for 7 or 8 years … providing that all the trials are successful. This new drug could also be of interest in cases of renal complications.

The alliance between the two laboratories will also help them to work together to develop and market other drugs for the treatment of diabetes, such as linagliptin. As this is not excreted by the kidneys, it makes it easier to use in patients suffering from reduced renal function.

To find out more: see the weekly epidemiological bulletin on chronic renal insufficiency associated with diabetes.

Source : Interview with Dr Myriam Rosilio, director of the endocrine and diabetes medical unit, Lilly France, 17 January 2011

>> Cet article est aussi disponible en français

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.