Definition

A synthetic glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogue with potential antidiarrheal and intestinotrophic activities. Upon subcutaneous administration, elsiglutide, a 39 amino acid polypeptide, binds to GLP-2 receptors and thereby promotes proliferation of epithelial cells. Regeneration of endothelial cells damaged during chemotherapy may prevent or decrease chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. In addition, elsiglutide may prevent chemotherapy-induced intestinal injury. GLP-2, a peptide hormone primarily produced in the small intestines in response to food, plays a key role in intestinal epithelial growth, metabolism and regeneration of epithelial cells.