LIRAGLUTIDE: A NEW TREATMENT FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Liraglutide is a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence identity to native GLP-1. An amino acid substitution and fatty acid side chain enable a more protracted pharmacokinetic profile of over 24 hours. These modifications make liraglutide suitable for once-doily dosing. Liraglutide use exploits the incretin effect to glucose-dependently stimulate insulin secretion. The LEAD (Liraglutide Effect and Action Diabetes) program evaluated the safety and efficacy of liraglutide and demonstrated an improved level of glycemic control relative to currently used oral antidiabetic drugs, including other GLP-1-based therapies. In these trials, liraglutide was shown to enable many patients to achieve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets and to improve several morbidities commonly associated with type 2 diabetes; liraglutide induced weight loss, reduced systolic blood pressure and improved beta-cell function. Liraglutide was well tolerated, although an increased incidence of mild nausea was observed. Since liraglutide mimics the glucose-sensitive action of native GLP-1, it does not induce hypoglycemia. Liraglutide offers an interesting alternative therapy to control blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, who commonly present with hypertension and overweight. It is expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in Europe for use in 2009.