The new place of enterohormones in intestinal failure

Since the approval of teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog, for the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) associated with intestinal failure, enterohormone therapy has received significant interest and is becoming the first choice of treatment in selected patients. As such, it is paramount to assess and understand the new place of hormonal therapy in the algorithm of treatments in SBS-intestinal failure.

Specialized intestinal failure units have recently reported their outcomes with teduglutide to evaluate if they are consistent with the phase III trials results. SBS-intestinal failure patients are very heterogenous including their response to this treatment, hence the importance of real-life studies beyond the context of clinical trials. Moreover, it is essential to find a consensus on criteria identifying candidate patients for teduglutide. In addition, the impact of teduglutide on quality of life and its cost-effectiveness are emerging as well as new enterohormone treatments are being studied whether it is long action GLP-2 analog or other ileocolonic break hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 analog.

Hormonotherapy is currently modifying the natural history of patients with SBS-intestinal failure by decreasing their need for parenteral support and possibly even complications associated with long-term parenteral support. Enterohormone treatment is now the cornerstone in SBS-intestinal failure and should be offered as a first-line therapy to selected patients.