Once-Weekly GLP-1 Agonists: How Do They Differ from Exenatide and Liraglutide?

Incretin mimetics offer a new modality in diabetes treatment. This modality is based on the effects of the naturally occurring glucoregulatory gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which counteracts several pathophysiologic traits in type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 receptor agonists with extended half-lives entailing fewer injections and presumably an improved throughout-the-day glycemic control are in clinical development. This article summarizes the physiologic effects of GLP-1; the effects of the already marketed GLP-1 analogues for daily dosing, exenatide and liraglutide; and reviews the presently published data (with emphasis on clinical pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety) on GLP-1 agonists, which currently are in development and intended for once-weekly dosing: albiglutide/albugon, CJC-1131, CJC-1134-PC, exenatide once weekly, and taspoglutide.