We are dedicated to supporting the autoimmune type 1 diabetes community by exploring innovative therapies that have the potential to improve outcomes for millions of people living with the condition.
Olivier Charmeil
Executive Vice President, General Medicines
Did You Know?
T1D is an autoimmune, progressive and lifelong disease that can develop at any age, regardless of family history.1
90% of people diagnosed with T1D have no family history.2
Autoimmune T1D can be detected several months or years before symptoms appear.1,3
What is Autoimmune T1D?
- Autoimmune T1D is a lifelong progressive disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) in the pancreas.1,4
- The lack of insulin production leads to high blood sugar levels. Most people will be diagnosed when symptoms develop, such as increased thirst, fatigue, unexplained weight loss and frequent urination.1,5
- When symptoms appear, people will require daily, lifelong insulin therapy to regulate their blood sugar levels.5,6
Autoimmune T1D Does Not Develop Over-Night. It Manifests in Four Stages
Stage 1
Attack on beta cells has started. Blood sugar levels are in a normal range (normoglycemia). At this stage, T1D is presymptomatic.1,7
Diagnosis of Autoimmune T1D at Stage 3 and Stage 4
- Most people with autoimmune T1D are diagnosed at Stage 3 when symptoms tend to appear and when the chance of severe complications is much higher.1
- Up to 80% of people will experience a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) event at diagnosis.9
- DKA is a serious complication where, due to a lack of insulin, the body is unable to use the sugar in the blood for energy and instead breaks down fat for fuel.10 This process makes the blood acidic and harmful due to chemicals released called ketones.10
- DKA requires intensive care in hospital and has been linked to effects on cognitive function and brain development as well as an increased chance of having a DKA in the future.1,11,12,13
Benefits of Early Detection (at Stage 1 or Stage 2)
When the attack on the insulin producing cells begins, the body produces autoantibodies.1 These autoantibodies can be detected via a blood sample.14 Early detection could:
- Give people and their families more time to prepare, ask questions and adjust to living with autoimmune T1D.2.15
- Reduce the chance of serious complications such as DKA at diagnosis.2
- Avoid the risk of misdiagnosis as the symptoms of Stage 3 T1D can be similar to other diseases.7
- Enable enrolment into clinical trials for disease modifying therapies.16
Leveraging Our Heritage to Revolutionize the Future
At Sanofi, we are redefining immunology from science to treatment. Building on 100 years of expertise in diabetes, we are continuing to push scientific boundaries to improve our understanding of the immune system and bring forward breakthrough medicines that can help improve outcomes for those living with autoimmune T1D.
References
-
Insel RA, et al. Staging presymptomatic type 1 diabetes: a scientific statement of JDRF, the Endocrine Society, and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(10):1964-1974.
-
Sims EK, et al. Screening for type 1 diabetes in the general population: A Status Report and Perspective. Diabetes. 2022;71(4):610-623.
-
Maddaloni E, et al. C-peptide determination in the diagnosis of type of diabetes and its management: A clinical perspective. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(10):1912-1926.
-
Diabetes. Beta Cells. Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/body/beta-cells.html. Last accessed: August 2024.
-
Powers AC. Type 1 diabetes mellitus: much progress, many opportunities. J Clin Invest. 2021;131(8):e142242.
-
Diabetes UK. Hyperglycaemia (hyper). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/hypers. Last accessed: August 2024.
-
DiMeglio LA, Evans-Molina C and Oram RA. Type 1 diabetes. Lancet. 2018;391(10138):2449-2462.
-
Breakthrough T1D. The stages of type 1 diabetes. Available at: https://breakthrought1d.org.au/what-is-t1d/stages/. Last accessed: May 2025.
-
Usher-Smith, J.A., Thompson, M., Ercole, A. et al. Variation between countries in the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis at first presentation of type 1 diabetes in children: a systematic review. Diabetologia. 2012; 55, 2878–2894.
-
Diabetes UK. What is DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)? Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/diabetic_ketoacidosis. Last accessed: August 2024.
-
Elendu C et al. Comprehensive review of diabetic ketoacidosis: an update. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2023;85(6): 2802–2807.
-
Aye T, et al. Impact of Early Diabetic Ketoacidosis on the Developing Brain. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(3):443-9.
-
Brandstaetter E. et al. Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2019. 63(5): 531–535.
-
Raab J et al. Capillary blood islet autoantibody screening for identifying pre-type 1 diabetes in the general population: design and initial results of the Fr1da study. BMJ Open. 2016;6:e011144.
-
Narendran P. Screening for type 1 diabetes: are we nearly there yet? Diabetologia. 2019;62(1):24-27.
-
Simmons KMW, et al. Historical Insights and Current Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes DiabetesTechnol Ther. 2023;25(11):790-9.