Kevan Herold, MD

The work in our laboratory involves translational studies in human immunology, focused on Type 1 diabetes. We are carrying out clinical studies of new immune therapies, in particular humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, and study the metabolic and immunologic effects of these interventions on the disease process. We showed how treatment with this drug, teplizumab, can delay or prevent the onset of diabetes in relatives who are at risk for disease. We are studying the ability of this intervention to prevent diabetes alone or with other treatments. We have identified a novel regulatory mechanism that we believe is involved in the progression to autoimmune diabetes and plan to expand these studies so that precise therapies can be curtailed to patients.

In addition, we are interested in developing new ways to improve beta cell function and mass which are compromised in all forms of diabetes. We are testing whether immune interventions can lead to spontaneous restoration of beta cell mass and developing new approaches to stimulate beta cell regeneration. Our studies to address this goal involve studies in patients and in animal models of the disease.

We also have an interest in autoimmune diseases that are occur in patients with cancers who are treated with new immune therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors that are given to patients with cancers. We are studying the mechanisms that lead to these adverse events with the objective to prevent them from occurring.

Specialized Terms: Type 1 diabetes; Immune therapy; Autoimmunity

The pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune disease, in particular Type 1 diabetes.

Studies involve clinical trials with patients and investigations of the mechanism of action of immune therapies and the pathogenesis of disease in patients as well as in animal models when needed to address what cannot be studies in humans. Over the past 7 years, our lab has carried out trials of a humanized non-FcR binding anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in patients and has studied the mechanism of drug action. These clinical studies have suggested novel mechanisms of immune regulation that are now to be addressed with new clinical studies.