[Potential of a GLP-1 receptor agonist combined with basal insulin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes].

The complex pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and its natural evolution, characterized by a progressive loss of glucose control due to the exhaustion of insulin secretion, lead to consider new complementary therapeutic options. Even at the insulin-requiring stage, the addition of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is beneficial. Besides their incretinomimetic activity (which may decrease with the loss of beta-cell mass/function), GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce glucagon secretion, slow down gastric emptying and diminish appetite through a central effect. These combined effects permit to improve glucose control, while reducing daily insulin doses, together with less weight gain (or even weight loss) and generally less hypoglycaemia. Fixed insulin glargine-lixisenatide and insulin degludec-liraglutide are currently in development.