Cardiovascular safety and benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cardiovascular safety and benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists

AU - Dalsgaard, Niels B

AU - Brønden, Andreas

AU - Lauritsen, Tina Vilsbøll

AU - Knop, Filip K

PY - 2017/3/4

Y1 - 2017/3/4

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) constitute a class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and currently, six different GLP-1RAs are approved. Besides improving glycemic control, the GLP-1RAs have other beneficial effects such as weight loss and a low risk of hypoglycemia. Treatment with the GLP-1RA lixisenatide has been shown to be safe in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore, liraglutide and semaglutide have been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD. The CV safety of the remaining GLP-1RAs in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD remains uncertain, but ongoing CV outcome trials (CVOTs) will elucidate this within a few years. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the existing GLP-1RAs with a particular focus on their clinical effects on CV risk factors and their CV safety and benefits. Expert opinion: Data on the CV risks and benefits associated with GLP-1RA treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD are emerging - and look promising (especially for liraglutide and semaglutide). Data from ongoing CVOTs will be crucial for the positioning of the individual GLP-1RAs in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD. However, the long-term CV safety and the potential of GLP-1RAs to prevent CVD in type 2 diabetes patients with less risk of CVD (e.g. newly diagnosed patients) remain uncertain.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) constitute a class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and currently, six different GLP-1RAs are approved. Besides improving glycemic control, the GLP-1RAs have other beneficial effects such as weight loss and a low risk of hypoglycemia. Treatment with the GLP-1RA lixisenatide has been shown to be safe in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore, liraglutide and semaglutide have been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD. The CV safety of the remaining GLP-1RAs in type 2 diabetes patients with established and/or high risk of CVD remains uncertain, but ongoing CV outcome trials (CVOTs) will elucidate this within a few years. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the existing GLP-1RAs with a particular focus on their clinical effects on CV risk factors and their CV safety and benefits. Expert opinion: Data on the CV risks and benefits associated with GLP-1RA treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD are emerging - and look promising (especially for liraglutide and semaglutide). Data from ongoing CVOTs will be crucial for the positioning of the individual GLP-1RAs in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk of CVD. However, the long-term CV safety and the potential of GLP-1RAs to prevent CVD in type 2 diabetes patients with less risk of CVD (e.g. newly diagnosed patients) remain uncertain.

KW - Cardiovascular Diseases

KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

KW - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor

KW - Glucagon-Like Peptides

KW - Humans

KW - Hypoglycemic Agents

KW - Liraglutide

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1080/14740338.2017.1281246

DO - 10.1080/14740338.2017.1281246

M3 - Review

C2 - 28102093

SN - 1474-0338

VL - 16

SP - 351

EP - 363

JO - Expert Opinion on Drug Safety

JF - Expert Opinion on Drug Safety

IS - 3

ER -