title: The future of incretin-based therapy: novel avenues--novel targets.
abstract: Incretin-based therapy for type 2 diabetes is based on the antidiabetic effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and instituted by GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors targeting the key islet defects of the disease. The treatment is clinically efficient and safe, and associated with a low risk of adverse events. It can be used both in early and late stages of the disease and both as monotherapy and add-on to other therapies. Current research on the future of incretin-based therapy focuses on optimizing its place in diabetes treatment and examines its potential in type 1 diabetes, in subjects with obesity without type 2 diabetes and in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Other studies aim at prolonging the duration of action of the GLP-1 receptor agonists to allow weekly administration, and to develop orally GLP-1 receptor agonists. Furthermore, other investigators focus on stimulation of GLP-1 secretion by activating GLP-1-producing L-cells or using gene therapy. Finally, also other gastro-entero-pancreatic bioactive peptides are potential targets for drug development as are synthetic peptides engineered as co-agonists stimulating more than one receptor. We can therefore expect a dynamic development within this field in the coming years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Bo.Ahren@med.lu.se
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ahrén
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054795:Incretins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon / Q000819:agonists* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; C000593833:GLP1R protein, human; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054795:Incretins; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1