Potential linkage between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor use and the risk of pancreatitis/pancreatic cancer.

Abstract

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, a class of oral hypoglycemic agents, are widely used, especially in Asian populations, as they have been shown to be well-tolerated and to cause relatively few hypoglycemic events despite exerting a potent glucose-lowering effect by promoting endogenous insulin secretion, besides also having extra-pancreatic effects. Meanwhile, use of DPP-4 inhibitors has been reported to be associated with the development of bullous pemphigoid (BP), a rare autoimmune blistering skin disease1 , even though the absolute increase in the risk of development of BP is relatively low.