SGLT2 inhibitors: what to expect in the future

Α. Liontos, E. Klouras, M. Florentin, E. Liberopoulos, M. Elisaf

Abstract

The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus aims either at increasing insulin levels or at increasing insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissues. After discovering the role of sodium – glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) in glucose homeostasis, its inhibition consists a new hypoglycemic mechanism and has become an attractive target for treatment. A plethora of SGLT2 inhibitors has been developed and can be found in various phases of clinical trials. Until now, SGLT2 inhibitors seem both safe and effective, while the completion of larger phase III clinical trials is expected in the next few years.

Keywords: SGLT2 inhibitors, diabetes mellitus, ertugliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin, ipragliflozin, remogliflozin