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Current concepts in targeted therapies for the pathophysiology of diabetic microvascular complications

Brian C Cumbie1, Kathie L Hermayer

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.

Vascular Health and Risk Management
|January 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic microvascular complications like retinopathy and neuropathy are common. This review explores targeted therapies beyond glycemic control, focusing on molecular pathways and emerging treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Diabetology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Diabetic microvascular complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, significantly impact patient quality of life.
  • While glycemic control is primary, it's often insufficient in preventing disease progression.
  • Emerging strategies focus on molecular pathways underlying these complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic microvascular complications.
  • To summarize currently available and late-stage clinical trial therapies targeting these mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pathogenic mechanisms.
  • Analysis of clinical therapies for specific molecular targets.

Main Results:

  • Key pathways discussed include the polyol pathway, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), protein kinase C (PKC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the superoxide pathway.
  • Therapies targeting these pathways are either approved or in advanced clinical trials.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting specific molecular pathways offers a promising adjunctive approach to managing diabetic microvascular complications.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to validate and implement these novel therapeutic strategies.

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