Insulin analogues: new therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin therapy is ultimately necessary for the control of blood glucose in a majority of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of previously available rapid-, intermediate-, and long-acting preparations make sustained normoglycemia almost impossible. Advances in molecular genetic engineering have made possible the development of insulin analogues with pharmacokinetics that more closely mimic the needs of patients with type 2 diabetes. In the following article, we explore the insulin analogues currently available for clinical use, their pharmacokinetics, and the rationale for their use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and follow-up with a brief examination of future developments.