Betacell

A hot topic in the type 2 diabetes world is whether we have in hand the tools to stop the decline in beta cell function that typifies this disease and, consequently, a therapy or therapies that successfully control blood glucose for many years – so-called treatment durability.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive multisystem heterogeneous disease. Apart from its well known microvascular and ischemic macrovascular complications, recent evidence has accumulated that patients with this disease are also at an increased risk of congestive heart failure, fractures, cancer, pancreatitis, and serious infections such as pneumonia.

Even after the elimination of troglitazone from the market over ten years ago due to an increased risk of severe liver toxicity, the two remaining thiazolidinediones, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, have been watched more closely than most new drugs on the market. It was quite clear these agents could result in weight gain, fluid retention, and even pulmonary edema.