INTRODUCTION: Insulin is the cornerstone of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) 
therapy. However, it cannot achieve a delay in the onset or evolution of this 
condition, while cardiovascular morbidity remains an unquestionable threat.
AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors discuss gevokizumab (XOMA 052), a 
recombinant monoclonal antibody that can neutralize human IL-1β by binding to 
it. This is relevant, because this IL has been associated with β-cell toxicity 
in both diabetes types. Moreover, gevokizumab presents two major advantages: it 
spares IL-1α and it exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Gevokizumab 
has already proven its safety and efficacy in improving glycemic control, β cell 
function and inflammation markers in clinical trials in diabetic patients.
EXPERT OPINION: Despite the very promising characteristics of gevokizumab, 
important questions remain to be answered. One important question is what to 
expect from a combination of this agent with insulin and if there is a subset of 
patients that might respond more favorably to treatment. We also need to know at 
what stage in the natural history of T1DM could gevokizumab be most efficacious, 
as well as its potential effects on cardiovascular outcomes.