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Once-a-Month Dosing for Type 2s?
Scientists hope that a new GLP-1 analog will last longer in the body, allowing for less frequent dosing and fewer side effects.
A new glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog for type 2s that might require dosing only once a month is now in pre-clinical (animal) studies. GLP-1, which increases insulin secretion from the pancreas, is a mighty helpful molecule, but with a sadly brief lifespan. It's broken down in the body within minutes by the enzyme DPP-4. That's why drugs like Merck's Januvia, a DPP-4 inhibitor, is effective: blocking DPP-4 subsequently increases the amount of GLP-1 in the system.
Another way to tackle the problem of GLP-1's vulnerability to DPP-4 is to make a GLP-1 analog: a molecule that works like GLP-1, but can hide from or resist DPP-4. Byetta (exenatide), for example, is a GLP-1 analog that has been tweaked enough to stay in the system for awhile, but it still needs to be injected twice a day before meals.
The new GLP-1 analog (VRS-859), created by Versartis, is a recombinant fusion protein. That is, it's made up of exenatide attached to XTEN. XTEN is a water-loving amino acid sequence that "covers" exenatide, hiding it from DPP-4 and protecting it from breakdown. This will, it is hoped, let the GLP-1 carry out its good works for a longer time, allowing for less frequent dosing and fewer side effects.
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Categories: Insulin, Medications Research, Research, Type 2 Issues
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Aug 25, 2009
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Diabetes Health
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
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Topics
- Diabetic / Diabetes Health
- Type 1 / 1.5 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood Glucose / Sugar
- High/Low Blood Sugar / Fast Acting Glucose
- Insulin- Pumps, Pens & Syringes
- Continuous Glucose Monitors, CGM, Infusion Sets
- Type 2 Medications
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
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