Peptide based therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity

A new review by Bailey and colleagues from The University of Ulster highlights progress towards a new era in peptide-based therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity.  Long-acting analogues of the naturally occurring incretin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and those modified to interact also with receptors for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) have shown high glucose-lowering and weight-lowering efficacy when administered by subcutaneous injection.  

Notable is the GLP-1R agonist semaglutide, available in oral and injectable formulations, which is also in trials combined with the long acting amylin analogue, cagrilintide.  High efficacy in both glucose- and weight lowering capacities has also been seen with the GLP-1R/GIP-R dual agonist, tirzepatide.   Other pharmacological approaches to chronic weight management include the antibody bimagrumab which blocks activin type II receptors, AMG 133, an antibody blocking activation of GIP receptors to which is conjugated GLP-1R peptide agonists, and the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, setmelanotide.   

Read the full article here >  Bailey et al (2023) An update on peptide-based therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Peptides 161 170939 PMID: 36608818

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