Endocrinology Grand Rounds: Dr. Ana Luisa Perdigoto presents Mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes: clinical and preclinical insights

Mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes: clinical and preclinical insights

Dr. Ana Luisa Perdigoto works in the laboratory of her mentor, Dr. Kevan Herold, and is interested in investigating pancreatic β cell function and responses to inflammation to better understand mechanisms of autoimmune diabetes. Her clinical and research interests have led her to study mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes, a complication which occurs in some cancer patients treated with immunotherapies. She hopes to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the prevention and/or treatment of these complications as well as potentially spontaneous autoimmune diabetes.

Her lab has identified evidence of pancreatic inflammation in patients with checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes. Using a mouse model of checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes they identified inflammatory mediators as well as changes in immune and β cells that may lead to the development of diabetes. They show that inhibition of inflammatory cytokines can prevent checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes, suggesting a strategy for clinical application to prevent this complication. They hope to expand their work to understand mechanisms of other endocrine complications of checkpoint inhibition.