Frank Vercruysse

Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin and sulphonylurea: a randomised trial

Canagliflozin is a sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin as an add‐on to metformin plus sulphonylurea in patients with T2DM.

Efficacy and Safety of Canagliflozin, an Inhibitor of Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter 2, When Used in Conjunction With Insulin Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE There are limited data about the effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors when used with insulin. We report the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The CANagliflozin CardioVascular Assessment Study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that randomized participants to placebo, canagliflozin 100 mg, or canagliflozin 300 mg once daily, added to a range of therapies. The primary end point of this substudy was the change in HbA1c from baseline at 18 weeks among patients using insulin; 52-week effects were also examined. RESULTS Individuals receiving insulin at baseline were randomized to receive placebo (n = 690), canagliflozin 100 mg (n = 692), or canagliflozin 300 mg (n = 690). These individuals were 66% male and had a median age of 63 years, mean HbA1c of 8.3% (67 mmol/mol), BMI of 33.1 kg/m2, estimated glomerular filtration rate of 75 mL/min/1.73 m2, fasting plasma glucose of 9.2 mmol/L, and a median daily insulin dose of 60 IU. Most individuals were using basal/bolus insulin. Reductions in HbA1c with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg versus placebo were −0.62% (95% CI −0.69, −0.54; −6.8 mmol/mol [95% CI −7.5, −5.9]; P < 0.001) and −0.73% (95% CI −0.81, −0.65; −8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI −8.9, −7.1]; P < 0.001) at 18 weeks and −0.58% (95% CI −0.68, −0.48; −6.3 mmol/mol [95% CI −7.4, −5.2]) and −0.73% (95% CI −0.83, −0.63; −8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI −9.1, −6.9]) at 52 weeks. There were significant falls in fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure at both time points and there was a greater incidence of hypoglycemia, genital mycotic infections, and hypovolemia with both canagliflozin doses. CONCLUSIONS Canagliflozin added to insulin therapy improved glycemic control and decreased body weight. There was a greater frequency of several anticipated side effects, although few led to discontinuation of treatment.

Canagliflozin Provides Durable Glycemic Improvements and Body Weight Reduction Over 104 Weeks Versus Glimepiride in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy/safety of canagliflozin, a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, compared with glimepiride over 104 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this randomized, double-blind study, patients (N = 1,450) received canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg or glimepiride (titrated up to 6 or 8 mg/day) during a 52-week core period followed by a 52-week extension. RESULTS At week 104, reductions from baseline in A1C were −0.65%, −0.74%, and −0.55% (−7.1, −8.1, and −6.0 mmol/mol) with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg and glimepiride, respectively. Durability analyses showed sustained A1C lowering with both canagliflozin doses versus glimepiride. Reductions in body weight (−4.1%, −4.2%, and 0.9%, respectively) and systolic blood pressure (−2.0, −3.1, and 1.7 mmHg, respectively) were seen with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg compared with glimepiride at week 104. The overall adverse event (AE) incidence was 73.3%, 77.9%, and 78.4% with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg and glimepiride; the incidence of AE-related discontinuations was low across groups (6.2%, 9.5%, and 7.3%, respectively). Incidences of genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, and osmotic diuresis–related AEs were higher with canagliflozin than glimepiride; these were generally mild to moderate in intensity and led to few discontinuations. Fewer patients had hypoglycemia episodes with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg than glimepiride (6.8%, 8.2%, and 40.9%). Mild decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate occurred initially with canagliflozin; these attenuated over 104 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Canagliflozin provided durable glycemic improvements compared with glimepiride and was generally well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving background treatment with metformin over 104 weeks.

Canagliflozin: a sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

The sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin is a novel treatment option for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In patients with hyperglycemia, SGLT2 inhibition lowers plasma glucose levels by reducing the renal threshold for glucose (RTG) and increasing urinary glucose excretion (UGE). Increased UGE is also associated with a mild osmotic diuresis and net caloric loss, which can lead to reductions in body weight and blood pressure (BP). After promising results from preclinical and phase I/II studies, the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin was evaluated in a comprehensive phase III development program in over 10,000 patients with T2DM on various background therapies. Canagliflozin improved glycemic control and provided reductions in body weight and BP versus placebo and active comparators in studies of up to 2 years’ duration. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with higher incidences of adverse events (AEs) related to the mechanism of action, including genital mycotic infections and AEs related to osmotic diuresis. Results from the preclinical and clinical studies led canagliflozin to be the first‐in‐class SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the United States, and support canagliflozin as a safe and effective therapeutic option across a broad range of patients with T2DM.

Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin when used in conjunction with incretin-mimetic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes

To assess the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) who were on an incretin mimetic [dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist].

Coadministration of Canagliflozin and Phentermine for Weight Management in Overweight and Obese Individuals Without Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of coadministration of canagliflozin (CANA) and phentermine (PHEN) compared with placebo (PBO) and CANA or PHEN monotherapies in individuals who were overweight and obese without type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This 26-week, phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, PBO-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group study enrolled individuals who were obese or overweight without type 2 diabetes (N = 335, aged 18–65 years, BMI ≥30 to <50 kg/m2 or BMI ≥27 to <50 kg/m2 with hypertension and/or dyslipidemia). Participants were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive PBO, CANA 300 mg, PHEN 15 mg, or coadministration of CANA 300 mg and PHEN 15 mg (CANA/PHEN) orally once daily. The primary end point was percent change in body weight from baseline to week 26; key secondary end points were the proportion of participants achieving weight loss ≥5% and change from baseline in systolic blood pressure. RESULTS CANA/PHEN provided statistically superior weight loss from baseline versus PBO at week 26 (least squares mean difference –6.9% [95% CI –8.6 to –5.2]; P < 0.001). CANA/PHEN also provided statistically superior achievement of weight loss ≥5% and reduction in systolic blood pressure compared with PBO. CANA/PHEN was generally well tolerated, with a safety and tolerability profile consistent with that of the individual components. CONCLUSIONS CANA/PHEN produced meaningful reductions in body weight and was generally well tolerated in individuals who were overweight or obese without type 2 diabetes. Further studies are warranted to evaluate potential use of this combination for long-term weight management.