Mark Boldrin

Randomised placebo-controlled trial of orlistat for weight loss and prevention of weight regain in obese patients

BACKGROUND We undertook a randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy and tolerance of orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor, in promoting weight loss and preventing weight regain in obese patients over a 2-year period. METHODS 743 patients (body-mass index 28-47 kg/m2), recruited at 15 European centres, entered a 4-week, single-blind, placebo lead-in period on a slightly hypocaloric diet (600 kcal/day deficit). 688 patients who completed the lead-in were assigned double-blind treatment with orlistat 120 mg (three times a day) or placebo for 1 year in conjunction with the hypocaloric diet. In a second 52-week double-blind period patients were reassigned orlistat or placebo with a weight maintenance (eucaloric) diet. FINDINGS From the start of lead-in to the end of year 1, the orlistat group lost, on average, more bodyweight than the placebo group (10.2% [10.3 kg] vs 6.1% [6.1 kg]; LSM difference 3.9 kg [p < 0.001] from randomisation to the end of year 1). During year 2, patients who continued with orlistat regained, on average, half as much weight as those patients switched to placebo (p < 0.001). Patients switched from placebo to orlistat lost an additional 0.9 kg during year 2, compared with a mean regain of 2.5 kg in patients who continued on placebo (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, LDL/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and concentrations of glucose and insulin decreased more in the orlistat group than in the placebo group. Gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in the orlistat group. Other adverse symptoms occurred at a similar frequency during both treatments. INTERPRETATION Orlistat taken with an appropriate diet promotes clinically significant weight loss and reduces weight regain in obese patients over a 2-year period. The use of orlistat beyond 2 years needs careful monitoring with respect to efficacy and adverse events.

Treatment With the Human Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog Taspoglutide in Combination With Metformin Improves Glycemic Control and Lowers Body Weight in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled With Metformin Alone A double-blind placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of taspoglutide (R1583/BIM51077), a human once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Type 2 diabetic (n = 306) patients who failed to obtain glycemic control (A1C 7–9.5%) despite 1,500 mg metformin daily were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of double-blind subcutaneous treatment with placebo or taspoglutide, either 5, 10, or 20 mg once weekly or 10 or 20 mg once every 2 weeks, and followed for 4 additional weeks. All patients received their previously established dose of metformin throughout the study. Glycemic control was assessed by change in A1C (percent) from baseline. RESULTS Significantly greater (P < 0.0001) reductions in A1C from a mean ± SD baseline of 7.9 ± 0.7% were observed in all taspoglutide groups compared with placebo after 8 weeks of treatment: –1.0 ± 0.1% (5 mg once weekly), –1.2 ± 0.1% (10 mg once weekly), –1.2 ± 0.1% (20 mg once weekly), –0.9 ± 0.1% (10 mg Q2W), and –1.0 ± 0.1% (20 mg Q2W) vs. –0.2 ± 0.1% with placebo. After 8 weeks, body weight loss was significantly greater in the 10 mg (–2.1 ± 0.3 kg, P = 0.0035 vs. placebo) and 20 mg (–2.8 ± 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001) once-weekly groups and the 20 mg once every 2 weeks (–1.9 ± 0.3 kg, P = 0.0083) group than with placebo (–0.8 ± 0.3 kg). The most common adverse event was dose-dependent, transient, mild-to-moderate nausea; the incidence of hypoglycemia was very low. CONCLUSIONS Taspoglutide used in combination with metformin significantly improves fasting and postprandial glucose control and induces weight loss, with a favorable tolerability profile.

Effect of orlistat-assisted weight loss in decreasing coronary heart disease risk in patients with syndrome X☆

This study describes the changes in risk factors for coronary heart disease in obese persons with syndrome X after orlistat-assisted weight loss. Data were available for 1,700 patients who completed 52 weeks of weight loss; 128 were defined as having syndrome X by being in the quintile with the highest plasma triglyceride levels (>2.2 mM/L) and the lowest high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, <1.0 mM/L) concentrations. Initial characteristics of those with syndrome X were similar to the 119 subjects (non-syndrome X) in the lowest quintile of plasma triglyceride (<0.975 mM/L) and highest quintile of HDL cholesterol (>1.5 mM/L). Subjects were placed on a calorie-restricted diet, and randomized to receive orlistat or placebo. Initial values were higher in those with syndrome X for diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), plasma insulin (p = 0.0001), triglyceride (p = 0.0001) concentrations, and ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (p = 0.0001), and were lower for HDL cholesterol (p = 0.001) concentrations. Weight loss was greater in both groups of orlistat-treated patients (p = 0.026); in those with syndrome X, it was associated with a significant reduction in plasma insulin (p = 0.019) and triglyceride (p = 0.0001) concentrations, an increase in HDL cholesterol concentration, and a decrease in low-density lipoprotein/HDL cholesterol ratio (p = 0.0001). There were no significant changes in plasma insulin, triglycerides, or HDL cholesterol concentration in the non-syndrome X group. In conclusion, weight loss attenuates coronary heart disease risk factors in obese persons with syndrome X, and the risk factor reduction is enhanced with administration of orlistat.

Treatment with the human once-weekly GLP-1 analogue taspoglutide in combination with metformin improves glycemic control and lowers body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin alone: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of taspoglutide (R1583/BIM51077), a human once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Type 2 diabetic (n = 306) patients who failed to obtain glycemic control (A1C 7–9.5%) despite 1,500 mg metformin daily were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of double-blind subcutaneous treatment with placebo or taspoglutide, either 5, 10, or 20 mg once weekly or 10 or 20 mg once every 2 weeks, and followed for 4 additional weeks. All patients received their previously established dose of metformin throughout the study. Glycemic control was assessed by change in A1C (percent) from baseline. RESULTS Significantly greater (P < 0.0001) reductions in A1C from a mean ± SD baseline of 7.9 ± 0.7% were observed in all taspoglutide groups compared with placebo after 8 weeks of treatment: –1.0 ± 0.1% (5 mg once weekly), –1.2 ± 0.1% (10 mg once weekly), –1.2 ± 0.1% (20 mg once weekly), –0.9 ± 0.1% (10 mg Q2W), and –1.0 ± 0.1% (20 mg Q2W) vs. –0.2 ± 0.1% with placebo. After 8 weeks, body weight loss was significantly greater in the 10 mg (–2.1 ± 0.3 kg, P = 0.0035 vs. placebo) and 20 mg (–2.8 ± 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001) once-weekly groups and the 20 mg once every 2 weeks (–1.9 ± 0.3 kg, P = 0.0083) group than with placebo (–0.8 ± 0.3 kg). The most common adverse event was dose-dependent, transient, mild-to-moderate nausea; the incidence of hypoglycemia was very low. CONCLUSIONS Taspoglutide used in combination with metformin significantly improves fasting and postprandial glucose control and induces weight loss, with a favorable tolerability profile.

The Fate of Taspoglutide, a Weekly GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, Versus Twice-Daily Exenatide for Type 2 Diabetes The T-Emerge 2 Trial

OBJECTIVE Taspoglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist developed for treatment of type 2 diabetes. The efficacy and safety of once-weekly taspoglutide was compared with twice-daily exenatide. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Overweight adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes on metformin ± a thiazolidinedione were randomized to subcutaneous taspoglutide 10 mg weekly (n = 399), taspoglutide 20 mg weekly (n = 398), or exenatide 10 µg twice daily (n = 392) in an open-label, multicenter trial. The primary end point was change in HbA1c after 24 weeks. RESULTS Mean baseline HbA1c was 8.1%. Both doses of taspoglutide reduced HbA1c significantly more than exenatide (taspoglutide 10 mg: –1.24% [SE 0.09], difference –0.26, 95% CI –0.37 to –0.15, P < 0.0001; taspoglutide 20 mg: –1.31% [0.08], difference –0.33, –0.44 to –0.22, P < 0.0001; exenatide: –0.98% [0.08]). Both taspoglutide doses reduced fasting plasma glucose significantly more than exenatide. Taspoglutide reduced body weight (taspoglutide 10 mg, –1.6 kg; taspoglutide 20 mg, –2.3 kg) as did exenatide (–2.3 kg), which was greater than with taspoglutide 10 mg (P < 0.05). HbA1c and weight effects were maintained after 52 weeks. More adverse events with taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg than exenatide developed over time (nausea in 53, 59, and 35% and vomiting in 33, 37, and 16%, respectively). Allergic and injection-site reactions were more common with taspoglutide. Discontinuations were greater with taspoglutide. Antitaspoglutide antibodies were detected in 49% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Once-weekly taspoglutide demonstrated greater glycemic control than twice-daily exenatide with comparable weight loss, but with unacceptable levels of nausea/vomiting, injection-site reactions, and systemic allergic reactions.

Comment: Low-Dose Orlistat Effects on Body Weight of Mildly to Moderately Overweight Individuals: A 16 Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Lifestyle measures are considered the first line of therapy for treating overweight individuals, but many are unable to achieve a meaningful weight loss. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of orlistat 60 mg, given 3 times daily, for weight loss in mildly to moderately overweight individuals. Methods: A multicenter, 16 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 391 overweight subjects at 20 US centers. The main outcome measure was change in weight from baseline to week 16; secondary measures included changes in body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting lipoprotein and glucose levels. Results: Subjects in both groups lost weight over the treatment period; however, orlistat-treated subjects lost significantly more weight than placebo-treated subjects beyond 2 weeks of treatment. Weight loss from baseline to week 16 was significantly greater in participants receiving orlistat versus those receiving placebo (3.05 vs 1.90 kg; p < 0.001, intent-to-treat analysis). Orlistat-treated subjects who completed 16 weeks of treatment lost 4.8 ± 0.35% (mean ± SE) of baseline weight compared with 3.1 ± 0.38% for the placebo group (p < 0.001). Orlistat-treated subjects, compared with those receiving placebo, also demonstrated a greater relative reduction in total (–4.4% vs 0.0%; p = 0.004) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–7.2% vs -0.6%; p = 0.005) and both diastolic (-3.9% vs -0.5%; p = 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (-4.7% vs -1.8%; p = 0.004). Both groups showed a similar safety profile; gastrointestinal events were significantly more common in the orlistat-treated subjects. Conclusions: The use of orlistat 60 mg by mildly to moderately overweight individuals produced significant weight loss in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and self-instructional materials. This amount of weight loss was associated with improvements in several weight-related risk factors. Orlistat 60 mg may be a useful adjunct to lifestyle measures and has the potential to contribute significantly to weight and risk factor improvement for overweight individuals.

Effect of Orlistat Added to Diet (30% of Calories from Fat) on Plasma Lipids, Glucose, and Insulin in Obese Patients With Hypercholesterolemia

The objective of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of orlistat plus a reduced calorie diet on decreasing cardiovascular disease risk in obese individuals with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations, and to compare the beneficial effects in patients with hypercholesterolemia only (type IIA) with those in subjects with combined dyslipidemia (type IIB). Hypercholesterolemic patients treated with orlistat lost more weight (mean +/- SEM 9.9 +/- 0.4 vs 6.1 +/- 0.5 kg, p = 0.0001) and had greater decreases in plasma cholesterol (p = 0.0001), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.06), glucose (p = 0.07), and insulin (p = 0.02) concentrations compared with the diet-only treated patients. The greater degree of weight loss in orlistat-treated subjects was similar irrespective of the form of dyslipidemia, and plasma total and LDL cholesterol and insulin levels decreased to a significantly greater degree (p <0.05) in those patients who received orlistat and who had either type IIA and IIB dyslipidemia. However, triglyceride and insulin concentrations decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased to a significantly greater degree following orlistat-assisted weight loss in patients with type IIB compared with type IIA subjects, which was associated with a significantly greater decrease in the ratio of LDL/HDL cholesterol. Thus, weight loss in response to a reduced calorie diet in obese hypercholesterolemic patients was associated with a significant decrease in plasma LDL cholesterol levels. The beneficial metabolic effects of weight loss were accentuated in response to orlistat administration, and the improvement was greatest in patients with combined dyslipidemia (type IIB).

Safety and tolerability of high doses of taspoglutide, a once‐weekly human GLP‐1 analogue, in diabetic patients treated with metformin: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study

Diabet. Med. 27, 556–562 (2010)

Efficacy and safety of taspoglutide monotherapy in drug-naive type 2 diabetic patients after 24 weeks of treatment: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (T-emerge 1).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of taspoglutide monotherapy in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 373 patients with type 2 diabetes naive to antihyperglycemic medication were randomized to weekly subcutaneous taspoglutide 10 or 20 mg or placebo. RESULTS HbA1c reductions from baseline were greater with taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg than placebo (least squares mean [SE] changes: –1.01% [0.07], –1.18% [0.06], and –0.09% [0.07], respectively; both P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Decreases in bodyweight were greater with taspoglutide 10 mg (–1.45 kg [0.32]) and with 20 mg (–2.25 kg [0.30]) than placebo (–1.23 kg [0.31]; P = 0.61 and P = 0.02 for taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg vs. placebo, respectively). Gastrointestinal adverse events and injection site reactions were more common with taspoglutide than placebo. CONCLUSIONS In drug-naive patients, once-weekly taspoglutide improved glycemic control, reduced body weight, and was generally well tolerated.

Taspoglutide, a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, vs. insulin glargine titrated to target in patients with Type 2 diabetes: an open-label randomized trial.

Aims  To compare the efficacy and safety of once‐weekly taspoglutide with insulin glargine in patients with advanced Type 2 diabetes failing metformin and sulphonylurea combination therapy.