Debate continues over safety of incretin mimetics

Incretin mimetics, which include glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists (such as exenatide and liraglutide), and dipeptidylpeptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors (such as alogliptin and sitagliptin), are considered a major advancement in the management of type 2 diabetes, particularly given their dual mechanisms of action, in enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon, to reduce blood glucose; their low propensity to cause hypoglycaemia; and their beneficial effects on bodyweight. However, of recent times, there has been considerable debate and controversy regarding the potential for incretin mimetics to cause pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.