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DPP4 inhibitors for diabetes--what next?
Anne-Marie Lambeir1, Simon Scharpé, Ingrid De Meester
1Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. anne-marie.lambeir@ua.ac.be
Biochemical Pharmacology
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors like vildagliptin are advancing beyond diabetes treatment. Research now explores other DPP4-like enzymes for novel therapeutic targets and understanding the body's response to injury.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Enzymology
Background:
- The development of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors for type 2 diabetes has spurred broader research into DPP4's functions.
- The availability of vildagliptin and sitagliptin marks a new phase in DPP4 research, focusing on its wider pharmacological profile.
- Increased awareness of DPP4-like peptidases has driven the development of selective inhibitors for related enzymes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore therapeutic applications of DPP4 inhibitors beyond diabetes treatment.
- To investigate the expression, distribution, and regulation of DPP4-like peptidases (DPP2, DPP8, DPP9).
- To enhance understanding of DPP4's role in the body's response to various physiological insults.
Main Methods:
- Pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of vildagliptin and sitagliptin.
- Development of selective inhibitors targeting DPP2, DPP8, and DPP9.
- Investigative studies on the expression, distribution, and regulation of these peptidases.
Main Results:
- DPP4 research has entered a new era with existing diabetes medications.
- New selective inhibitors have been developed for DPP2, DPP8, and DPP9.
- Insights into the role of DPP4 in the body's response to insults have been gained.
Conclusions:
- DPP4 inhibitors hold potential for therapeutic uses outside of diabetes.
- Further research into DPP4-like peptidases is crucial for understanding their physiological roles.
- Selective inhibition of DPP4 family members offers a pathway to explore diverse biological functions.
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