Abstract-This is the second of a 2-part series focusing on newer therapies for type 2 diabetes and their cardiovascular implications. In the first segment, we reviewed the thiazolidinediones, highlighting emerging data concerning their cardiovascular effects, both positive and negative. Here, we present a corresponding discussion of the newest antihyperglycemic category, modulators of the incretin system, which include the glucagon-like peptide-1 mimetics and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. In addition, we briefly survey several novel drug classes in development, provide summary recommendations for glucose-lowering regimens in specific patient types, underscore the importance of nonglucose cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, and comment on present and future considerations for the regulatory review of diabetes drugs. (Circulation. 2008;117:574-584.)Key Words: coronary disease Ⅲ diabetes mellitus Ⅲ drugs Ⅲ heart failure Ⅲ incretins A novel category of antihyperglycemic therapy based on modulation of the incretin system has recently emerged. Incretins are gut-derived peptides secreted in response to meals, specifically the presence and absorption of nutrients in the intestinal lumen. 1 The major incretins are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). GLP-1 is produced by the neuroendocrine L cells of the ileum and colon; GIP is elaborated by K cells of the duodenum and jejunum. Both are released rapidly after meal intake; their secretion appears to be under neural control. GLP-1 and GIP stimulate insulin output from pancreatic  cells in a glucose-dependent fashion (enhancement of secretion linked to the presence of hyperglycemia). In addition, GLP-1, but not GIP, decreases pancreatic ␣-cell secretion of glucagon, a hormone that augments hepatic glucose production. GLP-1 also retards gastric emptying and likely has a direct suppressive effect on central appetite centers. The cardinal physiological role of the incretin system appears to be the attenuation of postprandial glucose excursions. Notably, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are partially deficient in GLP-1 secretion, 2 a finding that has encouraged the development of drugs that augment GLP-1 levels or activity. Recently, however, the question of whether such incretin dysregulation is responsible for or is a consequence of the hyperglycemia in diabetes has been raised. 3 The first incretin modulator class encompasses the GLP-1 analogues or mimetics, which are functional agonists of the GLP-1 receptor. The initial approved member of this class is the injectable exenatide. Incretins are rapidly degraded by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which is widely expressed in many tissues, including kidney, liver, lung, and the small intestine. 4 As a result, the half-lives of GLP-1 and GIP are measured in minutes. Oral inhibitors of DPP-4, in essence, increase the plasma concentrations of the biologically active form of endogenously secreted incretins. The first DPP-4 inhibitor is sitaglipti...