Semaglutide: a promising new glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist

During the past decade, the commercialisation of several glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has diversified the treatment options available for patients with type 2 diabetes. These drugs mimic the effects of native GLP-1, which increases insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion (both in a glucose-dependent manner), and slows gastric emptying and increases satiety via a central effect in the hypothalamus. 1 Meier JJ GLP-1 receptor agonists for individualized treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2012; 8: 728-742 Crossref PubMed Scopus (841) Google Scholar In The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Christopher Sorli and colleagues report the results from the SUSTAIN1 study, 2 Sorli CH Harashima S-i Tsoukas GM et al. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide monotherapy versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 1): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multinational, multicentre, phase 3a trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017; (published online Jan 16.)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30013-X PubMed Google Scholar one of the first large-scale trials from the phase 3 development programme of semaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, in patients with type 2 diabetes. 2 Sorli CH Harashima S-i Tsoukas GM et al. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide monotherapy versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 1): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multinational, multicentre, phase 3a trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017; (published online Jan 16.)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30013-X PubMed Google Scholar Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide monotherapy versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 1): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multinational, multicentre phase 3a trialSemaglutide significantly improved HbA1c and bodyweight in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with placebo, and showed a similar safety profile to currently available GLP-1 receptor agonists, representing a potential treatment option for such patients. Full-Text PDF