GLP-1 agonists in type 1 diabetes

Despite years of research in the field of type 1 diabetes, patients with the disease remain without a therapeutic agent that can alter the underlying immune response in a clinically beneficial way. Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist therapies have shown some promising effects in terms of positively affecting overall beta cell health and increasing beta cell mass, primarily in mouse models. The three agents of this class currently available for patients with type 2 diabetes have shown beneficial clinical effects on glucose control in this patient population.The purpose of this article is to review the preclinical and clinical data of these agents to date with a focus on the potential immunological and clinical benefits these drugs may have on patients with type 1 diabetes.