title: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors under investigation for the treatment of type II diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia that is the result of β-cell failure in the setting of peripheral insulin resistance. It is estimated that greater than 300 million individuals worldwide have diabetes. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are used to treat a variety of cancers, appear to have antihyperglycemic effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes studies that have investigated the use of TKIs in animal models of diabetes. Additionally, the authors review case series describing the effects of TKIs on glucose levels in adults taking these drugs for FDA approved indications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the scope and size of the worldwide diabetes epidemic, reports of amelioration or possible cure of the disease warrant special attention. TKIs appear to lower glucose levels in some, but not all individuals. Multi-center prospective studies are needed in which patient with diabetes treated with TKI undergo phenotyping to identify responders versus non responders to allow for precision medicine.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malek
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medicine , University of Maryland School of Medicine, Physician-in-Chief, University of Maryland Medical Center , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Stephen N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: adults; dasatanib; imatinib; nilotinib; sunitinib; type 2 diabetes; tyrosine kinase inhibitors