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World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2026; 17(6): 116477
Published online Jun 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.116477
Published online Jun 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.116477
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes: Evidence for disease modification and therapeutic switching
Vanishri Ganakumar, Department of Endocrinology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi 590010, Karnataka, India
Cornelius J Fernandez, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pilgrim Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston PE21 9QS, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Joseph M Pappachan, Faculty of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Joseph M Pappachan, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
Joseph M Pappachan, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust, Chester CH2 1UL, Cheshire West and Chester, United Kingdom
Co-first authors: Vanishri Ganakumar and Cornelius J Fernandez.
Author contributions: Ganakumar V and Fernandez CJ contributed to the initial drafting of the work by performing the literature search and interpretation of relevant literature and share the first authorship; Fernandez CJ also prepared the figures for the manuscript and contributed substantially in addition to the revision process; Pappachan JM conceptualized the idea and provided overall supervision to the drafting process and figure preparation; all authors contributed to the revision of the article for important intellectual content, and all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Joseph M Pappachan, MD, Professor, Faculty of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. drpappachan@yahoo.co.in
Received: November 12, 2025
Revised: December 12, 2025
Accepted: January 12, 2026
Published online: June 15, 2026
Processing time: 211 Days and 15.7 Hours
Revised: December 12, 2025
Accepted: January 12, 2026
Published online: June 15, 2026
Processing time: 211 Days and 15.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Pharmacological manipulation of the incretin system has revolutionised the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the 21st century. The first few drug molecules in this group were the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), which have been used for treating patients with T2DM in the past 2 decades. Newer molecules, including incretin polyagonists, with longer half-lives and dosing intervals, and better cardiometabolic outcomes, are being added recently. A study by Kassem et al published in the World Journal of Diabetes provides us with robust evidence from a large real-world study from Israel on the benefits of switching from an old GLP-1RA to a newer agent, the theme of this editorial.