In rats (n = 4 in each group) with monotherapies with anti-TCR, anti-IL-6, or anti-IL-17 as well as the combination of anti-IL-6 plus anti-IL-17 (Additional file 2: Figures S1 and Additional file 3: Figure S2) in a fashion analogous to the double and triple combinations with anti-TCR (Figs. 1 and 2), no therapy success could be achieved after diabetes manifestation with blood glucose concentrations remaining in a permanent hyperglycaemic state (> 15.0 mmol/l) during and up to the end of the observation period of 10 days after start of the treatment (Additional file 2: Figure S1a-d). Here, IL6 is linked to diabetes mellitus.