Incretin-based therapies have been gaining much attention recently as a new class of therapeutics for type 2 diabetes worldwide. Among them, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide has been rapidly increasing its global usage. Once daily injection of liraglutide significantly ameliorates glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon secretion glucose-dependently. Liraglutide delays gastric emptying and suppresses food intakes, both of which contribute to glucose lowering and weight reduction. Efficacy and safety of liraglutide in management of type 2 diabetes have been well documented in several key clinical trials such as series of phase 3 Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes (LEAD) trials, and the liraglutide-versus-sitagliptin trial. Recent two trials dealing with monotherapy and sulfonylurea combination therapy on Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes furthermore indicate liraglutide's effectiveness in non-obese diabetes. In this review, we summarize results from such clinical trials, and discuss efficacy and safety of liraglutide in management of type 2 diabetes in various countries, along with a pitfall of liraglutide usage in real clinical setting.
Comparisons of efficacy and safety in insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) plus glulisine combination therapy with multiple daily injection therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
