|
Daniel J. Drucker answers a
few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in the field of
Pharmacology & Toxicology.
From
•>>April 2004
Field:
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Article Title: Therapeutic potential of dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Drucker, DJ
Journal: EXPERT OPIN INVESTIG DRUGS
Volume: 12
Page: 87-100
Year: JAN 2003
* Univ Toronto, Toronto Gen Hosp, Banting & Best Diabet Ctr, Dept Med, 200 Elizabeth St MBRW4R-902, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada.
* Univ Toronto, Toronto Gen Hosp, Banting & Best Diabet Ctr, Dept Med, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada.
|
 Why
do you think your paper is highly cited?
DPP-IV, or dipeptidyl-peptidase IV, is a major emerging
target for diabetes therapeutics, with multiple drugs now in
late stage clinical trials.
Does
it describe a new discovery or a new methodology that's useful to
others?
The review describes the biology, importance of the enzyme
for glucose homeostasis, and both therapeutic and safety
considerations in the development of DPP-IV inhibitors for the
treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
How
did you become involved in this research?
My lab has been working on gut hormones for 20 years. DPP-IV
is a critical determinant of the inactivation of peptides which
contain an alanine or proline at position 2, such as GLP-1 (glucagon-like
peptide-1) or GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide). Potentiating the
biological action of these peptides turns out to be a very good
therapy for Type 2 diabetes.
Could
you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?
The review helps frame the mechanisms of action, advantages
and pitfalls of targeting this specific protein for the
development of new drugs to treat diabetes.
Daniel J. Drucker, M.D., FRCPC
Senior Scientist at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Staff Physician, Division of Endocrinology
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital
Director of the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre
Professor of Medicine (Graduate Faculty)
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Drucker's laboratory is focused on understanding the biology and physiological actions of the
glucagon-like peptides.
|
ESI Special Topics,
April 2004
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2004/april04-DanielJDrucker.html
|
|
