Isseki nichō (one stone, two birds): a dual incretin receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The fact that stimulation of insulin is much greater after an oral or enteral rather than isoglycaemic intravenous administration of glucose has been known for more than 60 years—this incretin effect is mediated by two gut hormones—GLP-1 and GIP. Management of people with type 2 diabetes and obesity is being revolutionised with the emergence of increasingly effective therapies based on GLP-1.1 Tirzepatide, which acts on GLP-1 and GIP receptors, is the first dual agonist for the management of type 2 diabetes to gain regulatory approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (on May 13, 2022).