Looking to the future: focus on DPP-4 inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and emerging therapies

Diabetes Educ. 2008 Mar-Apr;34(2):183-200. doi: 10.1177/0145721708316620.

Abstract

Strong evidence exists demonstrating the benefits of tight glycemic control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, but glycemic goals are not adequately achieved for many patients. Advancement in the knowledge surrounding the physiology of endogenous glucoregulatory peptide hormones, such as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1, has led to new therapeutic targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors provide practitioners with a novel mechanism of action to use for combination therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This article, part 3 of a 3-part series, reviews the new class of medications known as DPP-4 inhibitors as well as discusses a future buccal insulin formulation, Oral-Lyn, on the horizon for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors* / adverse effects
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors* / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Pyrazines / adverse effects
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use
  • Sitagliptin Phosphate
  • Triazoles / adverse effects
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Pyrazines
  • Triazoles
  • DPP4 protein, human
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
  • Sitagliptin Phosphate