Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a potent intestinotrophic
growth factor with therapeutic potential for the prevention or treatment of an expanding number of
gastrointestinal diseases, including
short bowel syndrome (SBS).
Teduglutide, being developed by NPS Allelix and licensee Nycomed, is a
protease-resistant analog of GLP-2 for the potential treatment of
gastrointestinal disease.
Teduglutide has prolonged
biological activity compared with native GLP-2, and preclinical studies demonstrated significant intestinotrophic activity in models of SBS, experimental
colitis and
chemotherapy-induced intestinal
mucositis. Patients with SBS rely on
parenteral nutrition (PN) following bowel resection, and in a phase III clinical trial with
teduglutide, > 20% reduction in PN was observed in patients with SBS receiving
teduglutide. A phase II clinical trial for
teduglutide in
Crohn's disease observed remission rates of 55.6% in patients. At the time of publication, phase III clinical trials for SBS were ongoing, as were preclinical studies for
chemotherapy-induced
mucositis and pediatric indications.
Teduglutide represents a novel, efficacious
drug capable of increasing intestinal growth and improving intestinal function, and may change clinical management of
intestinal disease and damage.