Technology Description
This licensing and collaborative research opportunity relates to a new approach to treating diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM). The patent pending methods of treatment focus on the use of compounds that provide suppression of autoimmune responses that lead to destruction of pancreatic beta cells. The possibility of preventing disease progression offers a new paradigm in managing T1DM, which may provide patients with the opportunity to avoid dependence on insulin therapy and the numerous disease complications. Based on small-molecule screening for ligands of the Ah receptor that induce AhR-dependent regulatory T cells (AhR-Tregs), several compounds were identified. Oral treatment of mice prone to develop T1DM prevents the underlying pathogenic process of islet-cell destruction in an oral dosing regimen that does not induce toxicity. It is believed this approach will avoid general immune suppression.
Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), also known as diabetes mellitus type 1, is an autoimmune disease in which cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) attack and destroy the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Current management of T1DM involves administration of insulin and various formulations of insulin. Current estimates are approximately 80,000 children develop T1DM each year and approximately 3 million people have Y1DM in the United States. Complications from T1DM include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, insulin treatment can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which can result in coma and death.
Patent pending (U.S. non provisional and European Region)