Michael Trautmann

Exenatide once weekly versus twice daily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority study

BACKGROUND Exenatide is an incretin mimetic that shares glucoregulatory properties with glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and improves glycaemic control, with progressive bodyweight reductions, when administered twice a day in patients with type 2 diabetes. We compared the efficacy of a once-weekly formulation of exenatide to that of a twice daily dose. METHODS A 30-week, randomised, non-inferiority study compared a long-acting release formulation of exenatide 2 mg administered once weekly to 10 mug exenatide administered twice a day, in 295 patients with type 2 diabetes (haemoglobin A(1c) [HbA(1c)] 8.3% [SD 1.0], mean fasting plasma glucose 9 [SD 2] mmol/L, weight 102 [SD 20] kg, diabetes duration 6.7 [SD 5.0] years). The patients were naive to drug therapy, or on one or more oral antidiabetic agents. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA(1c) at 30 weeks. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00308139. FINDINGS At 30 weeks, the patients given exenatide once a week had significantly greater changes in HbA(1c) than those given exenatide twice a day (-1.9 [SE 0.1%] vs -1.5 [0.1%], 95% CI -0.54% to -0.12%; p=0.0023). A significantly greater proportion of patients receiving treatment once a week versus twice a day achieved target HbA(1c) levels of 7.0% or less (77%vs 61% of evaluable patients, p=0.0039). INTERPRETATION Exenatide once weekly resulted in significantly greater improvements in glycaemic control than exenatide given twice a day, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and similar reductions in bodyweight.

DURATION-5: exenatide once weekly resulted in greater improvements in glycemic control compared with exenatide twice daily in patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT We wanted to understand the effects of once-weekly vs. twice-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare effects of exenatide once weekly (ExQW) and exenatide twice daily (ExBID) on glycemic control, body weight, and safety. DESIGN This was a 24-wk, randomized, open-label, comparator-controlled study. SETTING The study was conducted at 43 sites in the United States. PATIENTS The study population was 252 intent-to-treat patients with type 2 diabetes [baseline (mean ± SD): glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.4 ± 1.2%, fasting plasma glucose 171 ± 47 mg/dl, weight 96 ± 20 kg] that were drug naïve (19%) or previously treated with one (47%) or multiple (35%) oral antidiabetic medications. INTERVENTIONS Interventions included ExQW 2 mg for 24 wk or ExBID 5 μg for 4 wk followed by ExBID 10 μg for 20 wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The change in HbA1c from baseline to wk 24 was measured. RESULTS At 24 wk, ExQW produced significantly greater changes from baseline (least squares mean ± SE) vs. ExBID in HbA1c (-1.6 ± 0.1% vs. -0.9 ± 0.1%; P < 0.0001) and fasting plasma glucose (-35 ± 5 mg/dl vs. -12 ± 5 mg/dl; P = 0.0008). Similar reductions in mean body weight from baseline to wk 24 were observed in both groups (-2.3 ± 0.4 kg and -1.4 ± 0.4 kg). Both treatments were generally well tolerated. Transient and predominantly mild to moderate nausea, the most frequent adverse event, was less common with ExQW (14%) than with ExBID (35%). Injection-site reactions were infrequent, but more common with ExQW. No major hypoglycemia occurred. CONCLUSIONS Continuous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism with ExQW resulted in superior glycemic control, with less nausea, compared with ExBID in patients with type 2 diabetes. Both groups lost weight.

Reduction of Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Frequency of Hypoglycemia in IDDM Patients on Insulin-Analog Treatment

Insulin lispro, an insulin analog recently developed particularly for mealtime therapy, has a fast absorption rate and a short duration of action. We compared insulin lispro and regular human insulin in the mealtime treatment of 1,008 patients with IDDM. The study was a 6-month randomized multinational (17 countries) and multicenter (102 investigators) clinical trial performed with an open-label crossover design. Insulin lispro was injected immediately before the meal, and regular human insulin was injected 30–45 min before the meal. Throughout the study, the postprandial rise in serum glucose was significantly lower during insulin lispro therapy. At the endpoint, the postprandial rise in serum glucose was reduced at 1 h by 1.3 mmol/l and at 2 h by 2.0 mmol/l in patients treated with insulin lispro (P < 0.001). The rate of hypoglycemia was 12% less with insulin lispro (6.4 ± 0.2 vs. 7.2 ± 0.3 episodes/30 days, P < 0.001), independent of basal insulin regimen or HbA1c level. The reduction was observed equally in episodes with and without symptoms. When the total number of episodes for each patient was analyzed according to the time of occurrence, the number of hypoglycemic episodes was less with insulin lispro than with regular human insulin therapy during three of four quarters of the day (P < 0.001). The largest relative improvement was observed at night. In conclusion, insulin lispro improves postprandial control, reduces hypoglycemic episodes, and improves patient convenience, compared with regular human insulin, in IDDM patients.

DURATION-1: Exenatide once weekly produces sustained glycemic control and weight loss over 52 weeks

OBJECTIVE In the Diabetes Therapy Utilization: Researching Changes in A1C, Weight and Other Factors Through Intervention with Exenatide Once Weekly (DURATION-1) study, the safety and efficacy of 30 weeks of treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exenatide once weekly (exenatide QW; 2 mg) was compared with exenatide BID in 295 patients with type 2 diabetes. We now report the safety and efficacy of exenatide QW in 1) patients who continued treatment for an additional 22 weeks (52 weeks total) and 2) patients who switched from exenatide BID to exenatide QW after 30 weeks. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this randomized, multicenter, comparator-controlled, open-label trial, 258 patients entered the 22-week open-ended assessment phase (n = 128 QW-only; n = 130 BID→QW). A1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight, blood pressure, fasting lipids, safety, and tolerability were assessed. RESULTS Patients continuing exenatide QW maintained A1C improvements through 52 weeks (least squares mean −2.0% [95% CI −2.1 to −1.8%]). Patients switching from exenatide BID to exenatide QW achieved further A1C improvements; both groups exhibited the same A1C reduction and mean A1C (6.6%) at week 52. At week 52, 71 and 54% of all patients achieved A1C <7.0% and ≤6.5%, respectively. In both treatment arms, FPG was reduced by >40 mg/dl, and body weight was reduced by >4 kg after 52 weeks. Nausea occurred less frequently in this assessment period and was predominantly mild. No major hypoglycemia was observed. CONCLUSION Exenatide QW elicited sustained improvements in glycemic control and body weight through 52 weeks of treatment. Patients switching to exenatide QW experienced further improvements in A1C and FPG, with sustained weight loss.

Effects of Exenatide and Lifestyle Modification on Body Weight and Glucose Tolerance in Obese Subjects With and Without Pre-Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of exenatide on body weight and glucose tolerance in nondiabetic obese subjects with normal or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Obese subjects (n = 152; age 46 ± 12 years, female 82%, weight 108.6 ± 23.0 kg, BMI 39.6 ± 7.0 kg/m2, IGT or IFG 25%) were randomized to receive exenatide (n = 73) or placebo (n = 79), along with lifestyle intervention, for 24 weeks. RESULTS Exenatide-treated subjects lost 5.1 ± 0.5 kg from baseline versus 1.6 ± 0.5 kg with placebo (exenatide − placebo, P < 0.001). Placebo-subtracted difference in percent weight reduction was −3.3 ± 0.5% (P < 0.001). Both groups reduced their daily calorie intake (exenatide, −449 cal; placebo, −387 cal). IGT or IFG normalized at end point in 77 and 56% of exenatide and placebo subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Exenatide plus lifestyle modification decreased caloric intake and resulted in weight loss in nondiabetic obesity with improved glucose tolerance in subjects with IGT and IFG.

Effect of exenatide on gastric emptying and relationship to postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of exenatide on gastric emptying (GE) in type 2 diabetes using scintigraphy. METHODS Seventeen subjects with type 2 diabetes participated in a randomized, single-blind, 3-period, crossover study. In each 5-day period, 5 or 10 microg exenatide or placebo was administered subcutaneously BID. Oral antidiabetic treatments were continued. The presence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy was assessed during screening. On day 5, after the morning dose, subjects consumed a 450-kcal breakfast containing (99m)Tc-labeled eggs and (111)In-labeled water, and GE was measured by scintigraphy. Plasma glucose and insulin, perceptions of appetite, and plasma exenatide were also quantified. RESULTS Exenatide slowed GE of both solid and liquid meal components [solid (T(50)(90% confidence interval [CI]); placebo, 60(50-70) min; 5 microg exenatide, 111(94-132) min; 10 microg exenatide, 169(143-201) min; both P<0.01); liquid (T(50)(90% CI), placebo, 34(25-46) min; 5 microg exenatide, 87(65-117) min; 10 microg exenatide, 114(85-154) min; both P<0.01)]. GE was not different between subjects with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (n=7), compared with those without (n=10) (P>/=0.68). Exenatide reduced postprandial glucose (area under the curve [AUC((0-6 h))]) by 69-76% and peak insulin (C(max)) by 84-86% compared with placebo. There was an inverse relationship between the postprandial rise in glucose (AUC((0-3 h))) and GE (solid T(50), r=-0.49, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Exenatide slows GE substantially in type 2 diabetes, which could be an important mechanism contributing to the beneficial effect of exenatide on postprandial glycemia.

Encapsulation of Exenatide in Poly-(d,l-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Microspheres Produced an Investigational Long-Acting Once-Weekly Formulation for Type 2 Diabetes

Exenatide once-weekly (EQW [2 mg s.c.]) is under development as monotherapy as an adjunct to diet and exercise or as a combination therapy with an oral antidiabetes drug(s) in adults with type 2 diabetes. This long-acting formulation contains the active ingredient of the original exenatide twice-daily (EBID) formulation encapsulated in 0.06-mm-diameter microspheres of medical-grade poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG). After mechanical suspension and subcutaneous injection by the patient, EQW microspheres hydrate in situ and adhere to one another to form an amalgam. A small amount of loosely bound surface exenatide, typically less than 1%, releases in the first few hours, whereas drug located in deeper interstices diffuses out more slowly (time to maximum, ~2 weeks). Fully encapsulated exenatide (i.e., drug initially inaccessible to diffusion) releases over a still longer period (time to maximum, ~7 weeks) as the PLG matrix hydrolyzes into lactic acid and glycolic acid, which are subsequently eliminated as carbon dioxide and water. For EQW, plasma exenatide concentrations reach the therapeutic range by 2 weeks and steady state by 6-7 weeks. This gradual approach to steady state seems to improve tolerability, as nausea is less frequent with EQW than EBID. EQW administrations may be associated with palpable skin nodules that generally resolve without further medical intervention. In comparative trials, EQW improved hemoglobin A1c more than EBID, sitagliptin, pioglitazone, or insulin glargine and reduced fasting plasma glucose more than EBID. Weight loss due to EQW or EBID was similar. EQW is the first glucose-lowering agent that is administered once weekly.

Exenatide twice daily versus glimepiride for prevention of glycaemic deterioration in patients with type 2 diabetes with metformin failure (EUREXA): an open-label, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Glycaemic control deteriorates progressively over time in patients with type 2 diabetes. Options for treatment escalation remain controversial after failure of first-line treatment with metformin. We compared add-on exenatide with glimepiride for durability of glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin alone. METHODS We did an open-label, randomised controlled trial at 128 centres in 14 countries between Sept 5, 2006, and March 29, 2011. Patients aged 18-85 years with type 2 diabetes inadequately treated by metformin were randomly assigned via a computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive exenatide twice daily or glimepiride once daily as add-on to metformin. Randomisation was stratified by predetermined categories of glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1C)) concentration. The primary outcome was time to inadequate glycaemic control and need for alternative treatment, defined as an HbA(1c) concentration of more than 9% after the first 3 months of treatment, or more than 7% at two consecutive visits after the first 6 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with EudraCT, number 2005-005448-21, and ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00359762. FINDINGS We randomly assigned 515 patients to the exenatide group and 514 to the glimepiride group, of whom 490 versus 487 were the intention-to-treat population. 203 (41%) patients had treatment failure in the exenatide group compared with 262 (54%) in the glimepiride group (risk difference 12·4 [95% CI 6·2-18·6], hazard ratio 0·748 [0·623-0·899]; p=0·002). 218 (44%) of 490 patients in the exenatide group, and 150 (31%) of 487 in the glimepiride group achieved an HbA(1c) concentration of less than 7% (p<0·0001), and 140 (29%) versus 87 (18%) achieved concentrations of 6·5% and less (p=0·0001). We noted a significantly greater decrease in bodyweight in patients given exenatide than in those given glimepiride (p<0·0001). Five patients in each treatment group died from causes unrelated to treatment. Significantly fewer patients in the exenatide group than in the glimepiride group reported documented symptomatic (p<0·0001), nocturnal (p=0·007), and non-nocturnal (p<0·0001) hypoglycaemia. Discontinuation because of adverse events (mainly gastrointestinal) was significantly higher (p=0·0005) in the exenatide group than in the glimepiride group in the first 6 months of treatment, but not thereafter. INTERPRETATION These findings provide evidence for the benefits of exenatide versus glimepiride for control of glycaemic deterioration in patients with type-2 diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin alone. FUNDING Eli Lilly and Company; Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

Improved mealtime treatment of diabetes mellitus using an insulin analogue

The absorption of regular human insulin from subcutaneous injection sites is delayed due to the self-association of insulin to multimeric forms. The insulin analogue insulin lispro has a weak self-association and a fast absorption rate. We examined the safety and efficacy of insulin lispro in the premeal treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. A 12-month study was performed in 336 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 295 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The patients were randomized to inject either regular human insulin 30 to 45 minutes before eating, or insulin lispro immediately before each meal, in addition to basal insulin. The postprandial rise in serum glucose was lower in patients receiving insulin lispro than in those receiving regular human insulin therapy. At end point the increment was significantly lower at 1 hour (35%) and at 2 hours (64%) after the meal in IDDM patients; in NIDDM patients, the increment was nonsignificantly lower at 1 hour (19%) and significantly lower at 2 hours (48%). IDDM patients receiving insulin lispro achieved significantly lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients receiving regular human insulin (8.1% vs 8.3%). In NIDDM patients, HbA1c levels decreased equally in both treatment groups. Due to its fast absorption rate, insulin lispro improves postprandial control in diabetes. Insulin lispro can be considered one step toward optimal insulin therapy and improved patient convenience.

Clinical relevance of anti-exenatide antibodies: safety, efficacy and cross-reactivity with long-term treatment

Aims: Antibody formation to therapeutic peptides is common. This analysis characterizes the time‐course and cross‐reactivity of anti‐exenatide antibodies and potential effects on efficacy and safety.