Otelixizumab is a monoclonal antibody that is being developed and tested for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Otelixizumab is an anti-CD3 antibody, which means that it binds to a group of molecules called CD3. CD3 is found on all T cells (a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes — an important part of the body's immune system).
In type 1 diabetes, some T cells (called T effector cells) mistakenly attack and destroy the cells in the pancreas that make insulin — the beta cells. Otelixizumab is being studied to determine if it can reduce this attack on beta cells, preserving the beta cells’ normal ability to make insulin.
So how is this supposed to address the viruses known to trigger off type 1 diabetes or the adrenal dysfunction that lowers levels of immune modulating corticosteroids that leading to the autoimmunity? Or is this just supposed to mask the disease rather than correct it?
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