Teduglutide for the treatment of short bowel syndrome

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) decreases gastric and intestinal motility, reduces gastric secretions, promotes intestinal growth and improves post-resection structural and functional adaptation in short bowel syndrome (SBS). Teduglutide, an analogue of GLP-2, has a prolonged half-life and provides intestinotrophic effects with once-daily subcutaneous injection in patients with SBS. This monograph reviews the preclinical and clinical data that provide the scientific rationale for the use of teduglutide in this orphan condition. Teduglutide increases intestinal absorption and diminishes the need for parenteral support in patients with SBS. The adverse event profile is consistent with the underlying disease and the known mechanism of action of teduglutide. Following its positive regulatory review and approval by the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012, teduglutide has moved from the research setting to clinical practice, offering a new treatment paradigm for this burdensome and potentially life-threatening condition.