Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) or adenosine deaminase complexing protein 2 (ADCP 2) or T-cell activation antigen CD26 is a serine exopeptidase belonging to the S9B protein family that cleaves X-proline dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides, such as chemokines, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. The enzyme is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein, expressed on the surface of many cell types. It is also present in serum and other body fluids in a truncated form (sCD26/DPPIV). The soluble CD26 (sCD26) as a tumour marker for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas. As both a regulatory enzyme and a signalling factor, DPP4 has been evaluated and described in many studies. DPP4 inhibition results in increased blood concentration of the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). This causes an increase in glucose-dependent stimulation, resulting in a lowering of blood glucose levels. Recent studies have shown that DPP4 inhibitors can induce a significant reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels, either as monotherapy or as a combination with other antidiabetic agents. Research has also demonstrated that DPP4 inhibitors portray a very low risk of hypoglycaemia development, and are a new pharmacological class of drugs for treating Type 2 diabetes.
