Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
[IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR-INDUCED DIABETES MELLITUS]
Matan Fischer1,2, Shoshana Amos2, Ludmilla Levy3
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Introduction:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the care of cancer patients, providing therapeutic options for advanced malignancies considered otherwise untreatable. However, these agents have been associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). ICI-induced diabetes (ICI-DM) is a rare complication of programmed death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy (~1%) and can be life-threatening, as patients often present with severe hyperglycemia and in diabetic ketoacidosis. We describe two patients with rapid-onset diabetes mellitus associated with anti PD-1 therapy followed by an in-depth review of the literature. We discuss the clinical presentation, potential mechanisms and optimal management of patients with ICI-DM. As ICI use continues to expand across a wide variety of malignancies, clinicians must be aware of this potentially life-threatening irAE to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause rare but severe diabetes (ICI-DM). Early recognition and management of ICI-DM are crucial for preventing life-threatening complications in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a significant advancement in cancer therapy, offering new hope for advanced malignancies.
- However, ICIs are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can affect various organ systems.
Observation:
- ICI-induced diabetes (ICI-DM) is a rare but serious complication, occurring in approximately 1% of patients treated with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.
- Patients with ICI-DM often present with severe hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, necessitating urgent medical attention.
Findings:
- This report details two cases of rapid-onset diabetes mellitus following anti-PD-1 therapy.
- A comprehensive literature review on ICI-DM, covering clinical presentation, underlying mechanisms, and management strategies, is provided.
Implications:
- As ICI utilization expands across diverse cancers, heightened clinical awareness of ICI-DM is essential.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of ICI-DM can mitigate significant patient morbidity and mortality.
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...

