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Progress in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: new pharmacologic approaches to improve glycemic control

Allison Cohen1, Edward S Horton

  • 1Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. cohen@joslin.harvard.edu <cohen@joslin.harvard.edu>

Current Medical Research and Opinion
|April 5, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management faces challenges with current treatments. New therapies like incretin mimetics and DPP-4 inhibitors offer improved options for glycemic control and disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of illness and death, imposing significant burdens.
  • Effective T2DM management requires strict glycemic control and management of other risk factors to prevent complications.
  • Many patients struggle to achieve or maintain optimal glycemic control with existing oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current standards for T2DM treatment.
  • To explore emerging and investigational therapeutic approaches for T2DM.
  • To identify new drug classes that may improve patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MEDLINE (1966-2006) and major diabetes conference abstracts (2002-2006).
  • Selection of original and relevant articles on basic science, preclinical, and clinical trial results.
  • Focus on practical recommendations and novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Professional societies recommend practical steps to improve patient treatment outcomes.
  • New drug development is crucial to address progressive pancreatic islet-cell dysfunction in T2DM.
  • Incretin mimetics and DPP-4 inhibitors are emerging as promising new treatment options.

Conclusions:

  • Early and aggressive combination therapy is likely to increase in T2DM management.
  • Novel treatment modalities offer potential for better outcomes and addressing public health challenges.
  • Long-term studies are essential to evaluate the durability and role of new T2DM agents.

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