Clinical efficacy of insulin-like growth factor-1 in a patient with autoantibodies to insulin receptors: a case report

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2000 Jul;49(1):65-9. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8227(00)00129-7.

Abstract

The type B insulin-resistance syndrome is characterized by the presence of anti-insulin receptor antibodies that cause severe insulin resistance. Treatments including steroids, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are chosen according to severity of insulin resistance. We describe a patient with type B insulin resistance syndrome who was treated successfully with human recombinant (hr) IGF-1, although this treatment provoked a severe allergic reaction. An elderly man with impaired glucose tolerance and unpredictable hypoglycemic episodes which were gradually worsening increased in hemoglobin (Hb)A1c concentration from 6.5 to 13.4%. His fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia were associated with severe hyperinsulinemia. The patient was diagnosed with type B insulin-resistance syndrome by the presence of anti-insulin receptor antibodies. Double-filtration plasmapheresis, plasma exchange, and immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide and cyclosporin all failed to suppress anti-insulin receptor antibodies more than transiently. When we attempted the treatment by daily administration of hrIGF-1, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations became normal and HbA1c levels decreased to 7.1% over 2 months, until on one occasion administration resulted in anaphylaxis. After the patient became stable, desensitization therapy was performed successfully, and hrIGF-1 could be administered again with the plasma glucose returning. We concluded that IGF-1 therapy was an effective treatment choice for type B insulin-resistance syndrome in cases whose plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy have failed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • C-Peptide / blood
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Desensitization, Immunologic
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Resistance / immunology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / immunology
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / standards
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Plasma Exchange
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Receptor, Insulin / immunology*
  • Syncope / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Peptide
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Receptor, Insulin