Ipragliflozin: first global approval

Exploring the anti-cancer potential of SGLT2 inhibitors in breast cancer treatment in pre-clinical and clinical studies

The link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) has prompted the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting shared metabolic pathways. This review focuses on the emerging evidence surrounding the potential anti-cancer effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the context of BC. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that various SGLT2 inhibitors, such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ipragliflozin, and empagliflozin, can inhibit the proliferation of BC cells, induce apoptosis, and modulate key cellular signaling pathways. These mechanisms include the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory mediators. The combination of SGLT2 inhibitors with conventional treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as targeted therapies like phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) inhibitors, has shown promising results in enhancing the anti-cancer efficacy and potentially reducing treatment-related toxicities. The identification of specific biomarkers or genetic signatures that predict responsiveness to SGLT2 inhibitor therapy could enable more personalized treatment selection and optimization, particularly for challenging BC subtypes [e, g., triple negative BC (TNBC)]. Ongoing and future clinical trials investigating the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, both as monotherapy and in combination with other agents, will be crucial in elucidating their translational potential and guiding their integration into comprehensive BC care. Overall, SGLT2 inhibitors represent a novel and promising therapeutic approach with the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients with various subtypes of BC, including the aggressive and chemo-resistant TNBC.

Synthetic approaches and clinical application of small-molecule inhibitors of sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of small-molecule drugs that have gained significant attention in recent years for their potential clinical applications in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These inhibitors function by obstructing the kidneys' ability to reabsorb glucose, resulting in a rise in the excretion of glucose in urine (UGE) and subsequently lowering blood glucose levels. Several SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, and Empagliflozin, have been approved by regulatory authorities and are currently available for clinical use. These inhibitors have shown notable enhancements in managing blood sugar levels, reducing body weight, and lowering blood pressure in individuals with T2DM. Additionally, they have exhibited potential advantages in decreasing the likelihood of cardiovascular incidents and renal complications among this group of patients. This review article focuses on the synthesis and clinical application of small-molecule SGLT2 inhibitors, which have provided a new therapeutic approach for the management of T2DM.

Metabolic basis of solute carrier transporters in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Solute carriers (SLCs) constitute the largest superfamily of membrane transporter proteins. These transporters, present in various SLC families, play a vital role in energy metabolism by facilitating the transport of diverse substances, including glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleotides, and ions. They actively participate in the regulation of glucose metabolism at various steps, such as glucose uptake (e.g., SLC2A4/GLUT4), glucose reabsorption (e.g., SLC5A2/SGLT2), thermogenesis (e.g., SLC25A7/UCP-1), and ATP production (e.g., SLC25A4/ANT1 and SLC25A5/ANT2). The activities of these transporters contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Notably, SLC5A2 has emerged as a valid drug target for T2DM due to its role in renal glucose reabsorption, leading to groundbreaking advancements in diabetes drug discovery. Alongside SLC5A2, multiple families of SLC transporters involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis hold potential applications for T2DM therapy. SLCs also impact drug metabolism of diabetic medicines through gene polymorphisms, such as rosiglitazone (SLCO1B1/OATP1B1) and metformin (SLC22A1-3/OCT1-3 and SLC47A1, 2/MATE1, 2). By consolidating insights into the biological activities and clinical relevance of SLC transporters in T2DM, this review offers a comprehensive update on their roles in controlling glucose metabolism as potential drug targets.

GLP-1 Analogs, SGLT-2, and DPP-4 Inhibitors: A Triad of Hope for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy

Alzheimer's is a prevalent, progressive neurodegenerative disease marked by cognitive decline and memory loss. The disease's development involves various pathomechanisms, including amyloid-beta accumulation, neurofibrillary tangles, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent research suggests that antidiabetic drugs may enhance neuronal survival and cognitive function in diabetes. Given the well-documented correlation between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease and the potential shared mechanisms, this review aimed to comprehensively assess the potential of new-generation anti-diabetic drugs, such as GLP-1 analogs, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and DPP-4 inhibitors, as promising therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. This review aims to comprehensively assess the potential therapeutic applications of novel-generation antidiabetic drugs, including GLP-1 analogs, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and DPP-4 inhibitors, in the context of Alzheimer's disease. In our considered opinion, antidiabetic drugs offer a promising avenue for groundbreaking developments and have the potential to revolutionize the landscape of Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Use of diabetes medications in adults with T2D and CVD in Japan: secondary analysis of the CAPTURE study

Introduction

The CAPTURE study estimated the global prevalence of established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and characterized the usage of glucose-lowering agents (GLAs) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across 13 countries. The purpose of this secondary analysis of data from the Japanese sites within CAPTURE (NCT03786406, NCT03811288) was to provide data about medication usage stratified by CVD status among Japanese participants with T2D.

Materials and methods

Data on GLA usage (including those with proven cardiovascular [CV] benefits) in Japanese participants with T2D managed in clinics or hospitals were collected and stratified by CVD subgroups.

Results

There were 800 Japanese participants in the CAPTURE study (n = 502 [no CVD group], n = 298 [CVD group], n = 268 [atherosclerotic CVD subgroup]). Oral antidiabetic agents and insulin were used by 88.5% and 23.4%, respectively, of participants overall. Among participants with established CVD, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (65.1%) were most frequently used, followed by biguanides (50.7%) and insulins (26.2%). The pattern was similar among participants with atherosclerotic CVD. A lower proportion of participants in the CVD group used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) with proven CV benefits versus the no CVD group (GLP-1 RAs: 7.0% vs. 8.6%; SGLT-2is: 13.4% vs. 19.1%).

Conclusion

This analysis of the CAPTURE study provided a comprehensive overview of prescription patterns for the treatment of T2D in Japan. Use of GLAs with proven CV benefit was low, even in participants with established CVD, which was comparable to the findings from the global cohort.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-023-00638-w.

Control of Dissolution and Supersaturation/Precipitation of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs from Cocrystals Based on Solubility Products: A Case Study with a Ketoconazole Cocrystal

This study demonstrates in vitro and in vivo control of cocrystal dissolution with drug supersaturation/precipitation based on the solubility product of a cocrystal. As a cocrystal model, KTZ-4ABA (ketoconazole, KTZ, a poorly water-soluble drug cocrystal, with 4-aminobenzoic acid, 4ABA, a coformer) was used. The presence of 4ABA in the dissolution media dramatically reduced the dissolution rate of KTZ-4ABA and regulated the supersaturation/precipitation of KTZ, supported by the solubility product of KTZ-4ABA. In the in vitro dissolution study, the combined solid form of KTZ-4ABA and a ten-fold amount of 4ABA significantly lowered the degree of KTZ supersaturation without precipitation and further cocrystal dissolution. To confirm cocrystal dissolution control in the gastrointestinal tract with the same composition as the in vitro study, an in vivo oral administration study with rats was conducted. When KTZ was coadministered to rats in the cocrystal form, an excess of 4ABA coadministered with KTZ-4ABA in the solid form reduced the maximum plasma KTZ concentration (Cmax), prolonged the time to reach the Cmax, but did not influence the area under the plasma concentration-time curve. These results demonstrate that both in vitro and in vivo cocrystal dissolution can be regulated by adding an appropriate amount of coformer based on the solubility product, which can be one of the promising strategies for the oral use of cocrystal formulations.

Overlapping risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes on ipragliflozin: case analysis of spontaneous reports in Japan from a pharmacovigilance safety database

BACKGROUND

In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Ipragliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor approved in Japan in combination with insulin for patients with T1D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Spontaneous safety reports of ipragliflozin adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with T1D were collected during early post-marketing phase vigilance (EPPV; 21 December 2018-20 June 2019). For patients with T1D prescribed ipragliflozin who experienced DKA, we examined DKA event data registered in the manufacturer's safety database (21 December 2018-31 December 2021), including patient background characteristics.

RESULTS

During EPPV, there were 189 total events (45 serious) of ADRs, including 32 serious events of ketoacidosis. From 2018 to 2021, the major DKA risk factors were sick days, stopping or inappropriately decreasing insulin, insulin pump trouble, and low carbohydrate diet, with substantial overlap among these factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japanese patients with T1D using ipragliflozin, DKA events were linked to several overlapping factors, including sick days and reduced dose/interruption of insulin, whether intentional or unexpected. These results highlight the need for improved patient education regarding ipragliflozin use and appropriate self-management of ketosis from an early stage.

Absolute Configuration Determination of Chiral API Molecules by MicroED Analysis of Cocrystal Powders Formed Based on Cocrystal Propensity Prediction Calculations

Establishing the absolute configuration of chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of great importance. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD) has traditionally been the method of choice for such analysis, but scXRD requires the growth of large crystals, which can be challenging. Here, we present a method for determining absolute configuration that does not rely on the growth of large crystals. By examining microcrystals formed with chiral probes (small chiral compounds such as amino acids), absolute configuration can be unambiguously determined by microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). Our streamlined method employs three steps: (1) virtual screening to identify promising chiral probes, (2) experimental cocrystal screening and (3) structure determination by MicroED and absolute configuration assignment. We successfully applied this method to analyze two chiral API molecules currently on the market for which scXRD was not used to determine absolute configuration.

Carbohydrate-based drugs launched during 2000-2021

Carbohydrates are fundamental molecules involved in nearly all aspects of lives, such as being involved in formating the genetic and energy materials, supporting the structure of organisms, constituting invasion and host defense systems, and forming antibiotics secondary metabolites. The naturally occurring carbohydrates and their derivatives have been extensively studied as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases. During 2000 to 2021, totally 54 carbohydrate-based drugs which contain carbohydrate moities as the major structural units have been approved as drugs or diagnostic agents. Here we provide a comprehensive review on the chemical structures, activities, and clinical trial results of these carbohydrate-based drugs, which are categorized by their indications into antiviral drugs, antibacterial/antiparasitic drugs, anticancer drugs, antidiabetics drugs, cardiovascular drugs, nervous system drugs, and other agents.

Strategies in synthetic design and structure-activity relationship studies of novel heterocyclic scaffolds as aldose reductase-2 inhibitors

Heterocyclic scaffolds of natural as well as synthetic origin provide almost all categories of drugs exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antibiotics, antidiabetic and anticancer agents, and so on. Under normal homeostasis, aldose reductase 2 (ALR2) regulates vital metabolic functions; however, in pathological conditions like diabetes, ALR2 is unable to function and leads to secondary diabetic complications. ALR2 inhibitors are a novel target for the treatment of retinopathy (cataract) influenced by diabetes. Epalrestat (stat), an ALR2 inhibitor, is the only drug candidate that was approved in the last four decades; the other drugs from the stat class were retracted after clinical trial studies due to untoward iatrogenic effects. The present study summarizes the recent development (2014 and onwards) of this pharmacologically active ALR2 heterocyclic scaffold and illustrates the rationale behind the design, structure-activity relationships, and biological studies performed on these molecules. The aim of the current review is to pave a straight path for medicinal chemists and chemical biologists, and, in general, to the drug discovery scientists to facilitate the synthesis and development of novel ALR2 inhibitors that may serve as lead molecules for the treatment of diseases related to the ALR2 enzyme.

The effect of preoperative sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on the incidence of perioperative metabolic acidosis: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are a novel class of anti-hyperglycemic agents. Although several cases of perioperative euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis have been linked to these medications, the association remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor use and the incidence of perioperative metabolic acidosis with euglycemia, the surrogating outcome of perioperative euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis.

METHOD

This was a retrospective, matched cohort study, which was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care facility in Japan. We identified patients aged 20 years or older with diabetes mellitus who received pharmacologic therapy and were admitted to the intensive care unit after elective surgery between April 2014 and March 2019. We extracted the following data from the electronic medical record for matching: age, sex, surgery year, surgical site, hemoglobin A1c level, and prescription for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Eligible patients were divided into two groups, those who were prescribed sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i group) and those who were not (control group). For each patient in the SGLT2-i group, we randomly selected four patients from the control group matched for the extracted characteristics. The primary outcome was the incidence of metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap and euglycemia. The secondary outcome was the lowest pH value of each patient during their ICU stay.

RESULTS

A total of 155 patients were included in this study. Patients receiving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors had comparable characteristics to control participants; however, the proportions of patients undergoing dialysis were not similar. Metabolic acidosis with euglycemia was seen in 7/31 (22.6%) patients receiving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and in 10/124 (8.1%) control patients (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors is associated with a significantly higher incidence of metabolic acidosis with euglycemia. Patients receiving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors who are scheduled to undergo invasive surgical procedures should be closely monitored for the development of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis.

Could SGLT2 Inhibitors Improve Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Heart Failure?

Despite the constant improvement of therapeutical options, heart failure (HF) remains associated with high mortality and morbidity. While new developments in guideline-recommended therapies can prolong survival and postpone HF hospitalizations, impaired exercise capacity remains one of the most debilitating symptoms of HF. Exercise intolerance in HF is multifactorial in origin, as the underlying cardiovascular pathology and reactive changes in skeletal muscle composition and metabolism both contribute. Recently, sodium-related glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were found to improve cardiovascular outcomes significantly. Whilst much effort has been devoted to untangling the mechanisms responsible for these cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, little is known about the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on exercise performance in HF. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms that are responsible for exercise intolerance in HF, elaborates on the potential SGLT2-inhibitor-mediated effects on these phenomena, and provides an up-to-date overview of existing studies on the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on clinical outcome parameters that are relevant to the assessment of exercise capacity. Finally, current gaps in the evidence and potential future perspectives on the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on exercise intolerance in chronic HF are discussed.

SGLT2 inhibitor-empagliflozin treatment ameliorates diabetic retinopathy manifestations and exerts protective effects associated with augmenting branched chain amino acids catabolism and transportation in db/db mice

Empagliflozin (EMPA) is the first sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor to significantly reduce cardiovascular and kidney complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given this, we speculate that EMPA may have the potential to intervene in diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is another diabetes-specific microvascular complication. Db/db mice were treated with EMPA for different periods to observe the retinas and related mechanisms. EMPA effectively balanced body weight and blood glucose levels, mitigated ocular edema and microaneurysm in db/db mice. EMPA significantly inhibited oxidative stress, apoptosis and recovered tight junction in diabetic retinas. MS/MS analyses showed that EMPA suppressed aberrant branched-chain amino acid (BCAAs) accumulation in db/db retinas, which led to the inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin activation, downregulation of inflammation, and angiogenic factors, including TNF-ɑ, IL-6, VCAM-1, and VEGF induced by diabetes. Furthermore, branched-chain α-keto acids (BCKAs), which are catabolites of BCAAs, were increased in diabetic retinas and decreased with EMPA application. Moreover, branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) was enhanced, BCKDHA and BCKDHB were decreased in diabetic retinas. This could be reversed by EMPA treatment, thus promoting BCAAs catabolism to decrease BCAAs and BCKAs accumulation in diabetic retinas. The high levels of BCAAs in the plasma and enhanced L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) were responsible for the high levels of BCAAs in diabetic retinas, which could be inhibited by EMPA. Overall, EMPA could ameliorate DR manifestations. The normalization of BCAAs catabolism and intake may play a role in this process. This study supports EMPA as a protective drug against DR.

Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Enavogliflozin in Mice and Rats

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of enavogliflozin, a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor that is currently in phase three clinical trials. Enavogliflozin showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics following intravenous and oral administration (doses of 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg) in both mice and rats. Oral bioavailability was 84.5–97.2% for mice and 56.3–62.1% for rats. Recovery of enavogliflozin as parent form from feces and urine was 39.3 ± 3.5% and 6.6 ± 0.7%, respectively, 72 h after its intravenous injection (1 mg/kg), suggesting higher biliary than urinary excretion in mice. Major biliary excretion was also suggested for rats, with 15.9 ± 5.9% in fecal recovery and 0.7 ± 0.2% in urinary recovery for 72 h, following intravenous injection (1 mg/kg). Enavogliflozin was highly distributed to the kidney, which was evidenced by the AUC ratio of kidney to plasma (i.e., 41.9 ± 7.7 in mice following its oral administration of 1 mg/kg) and showed slow elimination from the kidney (i.e., T_1/2 of 29 h). It was also substantially distributed to the liver, stomach, and small and large intestine. In addition, the tissue distribution of enavogliflozin after single oral administration was not significantly altered by repeated oral administration for 7 days or 14 days. Overall, enavogliflozin displayed linear pharmacokinetics following intravenous and oral administration, significant kidney distribution, and favorable biliary excretion, but it was not accumulated in the plasma and major distributed tissues, following repeated oral administration for 2 weeks. These features may be beneficial for drug efficacy. However, species differences between rats and mice in metabolism and oral bioavailability should be considered as drug development continues.

Mechanisms of Cardiorenal Protection With SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients With T2DM Based on Network Pharmacology

Purpose

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have cardiorenal protective effects regardless of whether they are combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but their specific pharmacological mechanisms remain undetermined.

Materials and Methods

We used databases to obtain information on the disease targets of “Chronic Kidney Disease,” “Heart Failure,” and “Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” as well as the targets of SGLT2 inhibitors. After screening the common targets, we used Cytoscape 3.8.2 software to construct SGLT2 inhibitors' regulatory network and protein-protein interaction network. The clusterProfiler R package was used to perform gene ontology functional analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analyses on the target genes. Molecular docking was utilized to verify the relationship between SGLT2 inhibitors and core targets.

Results

Seven different SGLT2 inhibitors were found to have cardiorenal protective effects on 146 targets. The main mechanisms of action may be associated with lipid and atherosclerosis, MAPK signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, endocrine resistance, fluid shear stress, atherosclerosis, TNF signaling pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway, and AGEs-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications were related. Docking of SGLT2 inhibitors with key targets such as GAPDH, MAPK3, MMP9, MAPK1, and NRAS revealed that these compounds bind to proteins spontaneously.

Conclusion

Based on pharmacological networks, this study elucidates the potential mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors from a systemic and holistic perspective. These key targets and pathways will provide new ideas for future studies on the pharmacological mechanisms of cardiorenal protection by SGLT2 inhibitors.

Role of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in the Regulation of Inflammatory Processes in Animal Models

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, also known as gliflozins, were developed as a novel class of anti-diabetic agents that promote glycosuria through the prevention of glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule by sodium-glucose co-transporter 2. Beyond the regulation of glucose homeostasis, they resulted as being effective in different clinical trials in patients with heart failure, showing a strong cardio-renal protective effect in diabetic, but also in non-diabetic patients, which highlights the possible existence of other mechanisms through which gliflozins could be exerting their action. So far, different gliflozins have been approved for their therapeutic use in T2DM, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease in different countries, all of them being diseases that have in common a deregulation of the inflammatory process associated with the pathology, which perpetuates and worsens the disease. This inflammatory deregulation has been observed in many other diseases, which led the scientific community to have a growing interest in the understanding of the biological processes that lead to or control inflammation deregulation in order to be able to identify potential therapeutic targets that could revert this situation and contribute to the amelioration of the disease. In this line, recent studies showed that gliflozins also act as an anti-inflammatory drug, and have been proposed as a useful strategy to treat other diseases linked to inflammation in addition to cardio-renal diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this work, we will review recent studies regarding the role of the main sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in the control of inflammation.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors in NAFLD: Expanding Their Role beyond Diabetes and Cardioprotection

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an ‘umbrella’ term, comprising a spectrum ranging from benign, liver steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD has evolved as a major health problem in recent years. Discovering ways to prevent or delay the progression of NAFLD has become a global focus. Lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone of NAFLD treatment, even though various pharmaceutical interventions are currently under clinical trial. Among them, sodium-glucose co-transporter type-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are emerging as promising agents. Processes regulated by SGLT-2i, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis are all implicated in NAFLD pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the NAFLD pathophysiology, and specifically focus on the potential impact of SGLT-2i in NAFLD development and progression, providing current evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies. Given this evidence, further mechanistic studies would advance our understanding of the exact mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the potential beneficial actions of SGLT-2i in the context of NAFLD treatment.

Reduction in cardiovascular disease events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor versus a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor: a real-world retrospective administrative database analysis in Japan

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the benefit of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without a CVD history.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used Japanese hospital administrative data from the Medical Data Vision database (January 2015 to April 2020). Patients with T2DM (N=625,739) who were new users of an SGLT2i (N=57,070; 9.1%) or DPP4i (N=568,669; 90.9%) were included. Outcomes included hospitalization for heart failure (hHF), all-cause death (ACD), and the composite of hHF or ACD. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using the inverse probability weighting Cox proportional hazards model to compare CVD event risks between treatment groups.

RESULTS

Compared with DPP4i, SGLT2i was associated with a significant reduction in hHF risk among patients without a CVD history (HR 0.507, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.283-0.907), but not in the full cohort or those with a CVD history. SGLT2i was associated with a significant risk reduction of ACD (HR 0.592, 95% CI 0.481-0.729), and the composite of hHF or ACD (HR 0.712, 95% CI 0.613-0.826), compared with DPP4i in the full cohort; similar results were observed among patients with and without a CVD history.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world study, SGLT2i versus DPP4i was associated with a significant reduction in hHF, ACD, and hHF or ACD events, in patients with T2DM without a CVD history.

Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Atherosclerosis: Lessons from Cardiovascular Clinical Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Basic Researches

Atherosclerosis-caused cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are effective oral drugs for the treatment of T2DM patients. Multiple pre-clinical and clinical studies have indicated that SGLT2 inhibitors not only reduce blood glucose but also confer benefits with regard to body weight, insulin resistance, lipid profiles and blood pressure. Recently, some cardiovascular outcome trials have demonstrated the safety and cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control. The SGLT2 inhibitors empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and ertugliflozin reduce the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and of hospitalization for heart failure in T2DM patients regardless of CVD. The potential mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardioprotection may be involved in improving the function of vascular endothelial cells, suppressing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation and regulating autophagy, which further protect from the progression of atherosclerosis. Here, we summarized the pre-clinical and clinical evidence of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardioprotection and discussed the potential molecular mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in preventing the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and CVD.

Real-world evidence for long-term safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in treatment-naïve versus non-naïve Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM)

Background

STELLA-LONG TERM was a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study that evaluated the long-term safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This subgroup analysis examined the safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in treatment-naïve and non-naïve patients.

Materials and methods

Patients were stratified into two subgroups: treatment-naïve (patients who had not received any antidiabetic drugs before starting ipragliflozin monotherapy) and non-naïve (all other patients). Patients who had added or switched antidiabetic drugs during follow-up were excluded from the analysis from that point. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and laboratory parameters were assessed.

Results

Of the 11,051 patients in the safety analysis set, 1980 patients (17.92%) were treatment-naïve and 9071 (82.08%) were non-naïve. In the safety analysis set, treatment-naïve patients reported significantly lower incidences of ADRs (10.81% vs 20.87%; p < 0.001) and serious ADRs (0.86% vs 2.09%; p < 0.001) compared with non-naïve patients, as well as significantly lower incidences of polyuria/pollakiuria, volume depletion-related events, skin complications and renal disorders. In the effectiveness analysis, sustained and significant reductions from baseline to 36 months were observed in HbA1c, FPG and body weight in both treatment-naïve and non-naïve patients (all p < 0.001 vs baseline).

Conclusions

Over 3 years, ipragliflozin was better tolerated in treatment-naive than in non-naive Japanese patients with T2DM and had similar efficacy in these populations. Therefore, ipragliflozin is a useful first-line treatment option for patients with T2DM.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02479399.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00501-w.

Reno-protective potential of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: Summary evidence from clinical and real-world data

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for renal impairment, developing in due course to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Such progressive renal damage is related to an increased predisposition to cardiovascular events and mortality. Even with intensive glycemic control and use of nephro-protective renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetic kidney disease remains tenacious. Identifying drugs with potential to halt progressive renal damage is the pressing priority at present. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, by virtue of their glucose-lowering and additional pleotropic effects, such as weight reduction, blood pressure lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic effects etc. are postulated to affect systemic and intrarenal hemodynamic mechanisms in a favorable manner which ultimately contribute to beneficial processes in the kidney. The promising reno-protective efficacy of these drugs is further highlighted by a reduction in development/progression of albuminuria and stabilization of renal function associated with their use. In particular, recent cardiovascular and kidney disease focused outcome trials have effectively demonstrated reduced rates of ESKD and other hard renal end-points, including doubling of serum creatinine, renal transplantation, death due to renal causes etc. with SGLT2 inhibitors. In this review, we dig further deep into the proposed reno-protective benefit furnished by this class of drugs by summarizing the evidence generated from clinical trials and large real-world studies. Current guideline recommendations and probability of reno-protection being influenced by factors, such as diabetic status, baseline renal function, RAS blockade is also explored to discuss their intended use in clinical settings.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors: Delving Into the Potential Benefits of Cardiorenal Protection Beyond the Treatment of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a significant risk factor for the early onset of chronic kidney disease and heart disease. Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance are key factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Renal glucose reabsorption is a critical component of glycemic regulation. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, commonly known as gliflozins, lower blood sugar levels by inhibiting glucose absorption in the proximal tubule of the kidney. SGLT2 inhibitors are currently used primarily as antidiabetic medications; however, their advantages go well beyond just glycemic control. This article has reviewed the mechanisms behind cardiac and renal involvement in type 2 diabetes and their inseparable interconnections. This article has also discussed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of different SGLT2 inhibitors available in the market. Finally, this review has provided a perspective on the outcome trials, which provide evidence supporting a potential benefit of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing cardiovascular and renal risks and possible mechanisms that mediate the renal and cardiovascular protection conferred.

Do sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors increase plasma glucagon by direct actions on the alpha cell? And does the increase matter for the associated increase in endogenous glucose production?

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) lower blood glucose and are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, SGLT2is have been associated with increases in endogenous glucose production (EGP) by mechanisms that have been proposed to result from SGLT2i-mediated increases in circulating glucagon concentrations, but the relative importance of this effect is debated, and mechanisms possibly coupling SGLT2is to increased plasma glucagon are unclear. A direct effect on alpha-cell activity has been proposed, but data on alpha-cell SGLT2 expression are inconsistent, and studies investigating the direct effects of SGLT2 inhibition on glucagon secretion are conflicting. By contrast, alpha-cell sodium-glucose co-transporter-1 (SGLT1) expression has been found more consistently and appears to be more prominent, pointing to an underappreciated role for this transporter. Nevertheless, the selectivity of most SGLT2is does not support interference with SGLT1 during therapy. Paracrine effects mediated by secretion of glucagonotropic/static molecules from beta and/or delta cells have also been suggested to be involved in SGLT2i-induced increase in plasma glucagon, but studies are few and arrive at different conclusions. It is also possible that the effect on glucagon is secondary to drug-induced increases in urinary glucose excretion and lowering of blood glucose, as shown in experiments with glucose clamping where SGLT2i-associated increases in plasma glucagon are prevented. However, regardless of the mechanisms involved, the current balance of evidence does not support that SGLT2 plays a crucial role for alpha-cell physiology or that SGLT2i-induced glucagon secretion is important for the associated increased EGP, particularly because the increase in EGP occurs before any rise in plasma glucagon.

Efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control on sitagliptin

AIMS

To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ipragliflozin 50 mg once daily added to sitagliptin 50 mg once daily monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results of two clinical trials are reported. In both trials, patients had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of 7.0% to 10.0% on sitagliptin 50 mg once daily 2 weeks prior to addition of ipragliflozin or placebo. In one trial (Trial 843), patients were randomized 1:1 to addition of blinded ipragliflozin 50 mg once daily (n = 73) or placebo (n = 70) for 24 weeks; the primary endpoint was efficacy (change in HbA1c at Week 24). In the other trial (Trial 849), open-label ipragliflozin 50 mg once daily was added for 52 weeks (n = 77); the primary objective was to assess safety/tolerability.

RESULTS

In Trial 843, baseline characteristics were similar between groups (mean age 60.5 years, HbA1c 8.0%); after 24 weeks, adding ipragliflozin provided significantly greater reduction in HbA1c compared to placebo: least squares mean difference -0.77% (95% confidence interval -0.98, -0.57; P <0.001). In Trial 843, the incidences of adverse events (AEs) overall and prespecified AEs of clinical interest (symptomatic hypoglycaemia, urinary tract infection, genital infection, hypovolaemia, and polyuria/pollakiuria) were similar between groups. In Trial 849, specific AEs with incidence ≥5% were nasopharyngitis, pollakiuria, back pain, thirst, constipation, influenza and arthralgia; drug-related AEs reported in ≥2 patients were pollakiuria, thirst and constipation.

CONCLUSIONS

Ipragliflozin 50 mg once daily added on to sitagliptin 50 mg once daily monotherapy provided significant improvement in glycaemic control and was generally well tolerated in Japanese patients with T2D. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02577003, NCT02564211.

Effect of ipragliflozin on liver function in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM)

The STELLA-LONG TERM prospective post-marketing surveillance study assessed ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This subgroup analysis of patients with liver impairment used the final 3-year results. Data on patients, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and changes in glycemic parameters and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [γ-GTP] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) were collected, and the fatty liver index (FLI) was calculated. In the effectiveness analysis (n = 8,763), baseline liver function was normal in 2,605 patients (ALT <31/<21 U/L [men/women]) and abnormal in 3,277 (ALT ≥31/≥21 U/L). The abnormal liver function group had higher mean body weight and BMI than the normal liver function group (p < 0.001). In the safety analysis (n = 11,051), urinary tract infections, genital infections and hepatic disorders were more common in the abnormal than normal liver function group (2.25% vs. 1.07%; 1.78% vs. 1.14% and 1.85% vs. 1.01%). In the abnormal liver function group, there were significant (p < 0.001) decreases from baseline at 36 months in AST and ALT (from 38.8 and 53.7 U/L to 29.3 and 37.7 U/L, respectively), γ-GTP (from 75.4 to 51.7 U/L) and ALP (from 254.8 to 234.5 U/L), which were greater than in the normal liver function group. FLI reductions at 36 months were significant (p < 0.001) in subgroups with baseline FLI of ≥30 or ≥60. In conclusion, ipragliflozin improved liver function over 3 years in patients with impaired liver function, although ADRs occurred more frequently than in the normal liver function group.

Recent Advances in the Development of Type 2 Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most serious and prevalent diseases worldwide. In the last decade, type 2 sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (iSGLT2) were approved as alternative drugs for the pharmacological treatment of T2DM. The anti-hyperglycemic mechanism of action of these drugs involves glycosuria. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors cause beneficial effects such as weight loss, a decrease in blood pressure, and others.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to describe the origin of SGLT2 inhibitors and analyze their recent development in preclinical and clinical trials.

RESULTS

In 2013, the FDA approved SGLT2 inhibitors as a new alternative for the treatment of T2DM. These drugs have shown good tolerance with few adverse effects in clinical trials. Additionally, new potential anti-T2DM agents based on iSGLT2 (O-, C-, and N-glucosides) have exhibited a favorable profile in preclinical evaluations, making them candidates for advanced clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

The clinical results of SGLT2 inhibitors show the importance of this drug class as new anti-T2DM agents with a potential dual effect. Additionally, the preclinical results of SGLT2 inhibitors favor the design and development of more selective new agents. However, several adverse effects could be a potential risk for patients.

Application of carbohydrates in approved small molecule drugs: A review

Carbohydrates are an important energy source and play numerous key roles in all living organisms. Carbohydrates chemistry involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases has been attracting increasing attention. Carbohydrates could be one of the major focuses of new drug discovery. Currently, however, carbohydrate-containing drugs account for only a small percentage of all drugs in clinical use, which does not match the important roles of carbohydrates in the organism. In other words, carbohydrates are a relatively untapped source of new drugs and therefore may offer exciting novel therapeutic opportunities. Here, we presented an overview of the application of carbohydrates in approved small molecule drugs and emphasized and evaluated the roles of carbohydrates in those drugs. The potential development direction of carbohydrate-containing drugs was presented after summarizing the advantages and challenges of carbohydrates in the development of new drugs.

Safety and Effectiveness of Ipragliflozin in Elderly Versus Non-elderly Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Subgroup Analysis of STELLA-LONG TERM

INTRODUCTION

STELLA-LONG TERM is a post-marketing surveillance study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Patients were classified by age at ipragliflozin initiation (< 65 and ≥ 65 years), and elderly patients were subclassified by baseline body mass index (BMI) < 25.0 or ≥ 25.0 kg/m². Incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and effectiveness were evaluated over 3 years.

RESULTS

Among 11,051 patients, 7894 (71.4%) were aged < 65 years and 3157 (28.6%) ≥ 65 years. The 3-year ADR incidence was similar in patients aged ≥ 65 (19.04%) and < 65 years (19.36%; P = 0.701). Serious ADRs were more frequent in the subgroup ≥ 65 years (2.79% vs 1.55%; P < 0.001). In terms of ADRs of special interest, a significantly greater proportion of elderly patients had skin complications (2.22% vs 1.62%, P = 0.033), renal disorders (2.28% vs 1.51%, P = 0.005), hypoglycemia (0.73% vs 0.43%, P = 0.048), or malignant tumors (1.01% vs 0.24%, P < 0.001), while the incidence of polyuria/pollakiuria (5.97% vs 4.47%, P = 0.002) and hepatic disorders (1.39% vs 0.73%, P = 0.004) was significantly higher in non-elderly than elderly patients. In patients aged ≥ 65 years, the incidence of ADRs was higher when baseline BMI was ≥ 25 kg/m² versus < 25 kg/m² (24.40% vs 17.68%; P < 0.001). Glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and body weight significantly decreased from baseline in both age groups at each evaluation up to 3 years (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ipragliflozin was well tolerated and effective for 3 years in routine clinical use in elderly and non-elderly patients, although elderly patients had a higher rate of serious ADRs. No new safety concerns were identified.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02479399.

Safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired renal function: subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM)

STELLA-LONG TERM, a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study, evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ipragliflozin in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Final results in the safety (n = 6697) and effectiveness populations (n = 5625) were analyzed by stratifying patients by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m²) into four subgroups (≥ 90, 60 to < 90, 45 to < 60, and < 45) and two subgroups (≥ 60 and < 60). Adverse drug reaction (ADR) incidence, and changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), bodyweight, and eGFR were assessed. The percentage of patients experiencing ADRs and serious ADRs was similar across most eGFR subgroups. Polyuria/pollakiuria was the most common ADR. Renal disorders and volume depletion ADRs were more frequent in the subgroups with more severe renal impairment at baseline than in those with an eGFR of 60 to < 90 or ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m². Bodyweight and HbA1c decreased in all subgroups, the latter by - 0.91% to - 0.40% (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). eGFR increased in the 45 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² subgroup (+ 1.42 ± 8.77 mL/min/1.73 m²; P = 0.006). It decreased in the ≥ 90 and 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m² subgroups (- 8.27 ± 13.73 and - 1.22 ± 10.34 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < 0.001), but not to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m². In conclusion, there were no new or unexpected safety findings in Japanese patients treated with ipragliflozin for T2DM, and long-term sustained improvements in HbA1c and bodyweight were observed regardless of the presence of renal impairment.

Impact of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on atherosclerosis: from pharmacology to pre-clinical and clinical therapeutics

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are new oral drugs for the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research in the past decade has shown that drugs of the SGLT2i class, such as empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin, have pleiotropic effects in preventing cardiovascular diseases beyond their favorable impact on hyperglycemia. Of clinical relevance, recent landmark cardiovascular outcome trials have demonstrated that SGLT2i reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, and cardiovascular death in T2DM patients with/without cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and various types of heart failure). The major pharmacological action of SGLT2i is through inhibiting glucose re-absorption in the kidney and thus promoting glucose excretion. Studies in experimental models of atherosclerosis have shown that SGLT2i ameliorate the progression of atherosclerosis by mechanisms including inhibition of vascular inflammation, reduction in oxidative stress, reversing endothelial dysfunction, reducing foam cell formation and preventing platelet activation. Here, we summarize the anti-atherosclerotic actions and mechanisms of action of SGLT2i, with an aim to emphasize the clinical utility of this class of agents in preventing the insidious cardiovascular complications accompanying diabetes.

Salts, solvates and hydrates of the multi-kinase inhibitor drug pazopanib with hydroxybenzoic acids

Eight cocrystal-salts of the multi-kinase drug pazopanib with hydroxybenzoic acids are sustained by the strong, ionic aminopyridinium⋯carboxylate heterosynthon of N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid donor and amino-pyrimidine acceptor.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofogliflozin and Ipragliflozin for Patients with Type-2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study by Flash Glucose Monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors promote urinary glucose excretion. However, the differences in the effects of various SGLT2 inhibitors are unknown. We used flash glucose monitoring (FGM) to identify the differences between tofogliflozin and ipragliflozin in terms of efficacy in reducing glycemic variability and mitigate hypoglycemia risk.

METHODS

In this crossover study, 24 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving insulin glargine U300 therapy were randomly allocated to tofogliflozin and ipragliflozin or ipragliflozin and tofogliflozin group. Glycemic variability and hypoglycemia were compared using to the 3-day FGM data per treatment period.

RESULTS

Glucose level 2 h after each meal was significantly lower with tofogliflozin administration than with ipragliflozin administration. Time below the target glucose range after tofogliflozin administration was significantly lower than that after ipragliflozin administration (2.1% ± 4.4% vs. 8.7% ± 11.7%). The 24-h standard deviation of glucose level, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion, and mean percent time with nocturnal hypoglycemia after tofogliflozin administration were significantly lower than those after ipragliflozin administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Tofogliflozin was more effective and safer than ipragliflozin in reducing glycemic variability and mitigating hypoglycemia risk in patients with T2DM treated with insulin glargine U300.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (no. UMIN000037158).

SGLT2 inhibitors, an accomplished development in field of medicinal chemistry: an extensive review

Diabetes is a chronic progressive metabolic disease caused by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. In spite of the availability of several antihyperglycaemics, there is a need for the development of safer antidiabetic drugs due to their undesirable effects. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are a class of antidiabetics, which hinder the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, causing excretion of glucose via urine. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are a well-tolerated class with no significant adverse effects and are found to be favorable in certain conditions, which may be rudimentary to cardiovascular and renal diseases. The current advancements in their design and development, their mechanism of action, structure–activity relationship, synthesis and in silico development along with their auxiliary roles have been extensively reviewed.

Real-World Evidence for Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Ipragliflozin in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: final Results of a 3-Year Post-Marketing Surveillance Study (STELLA-LONG TERM)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in real-world clinical practice in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM) included Japanese patients newly initiated on ipragliflozin between 17 July 2014 and 16 October 2015 (data lock: 30 September 2019). Survey items included demographics, treatments, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), vital signs, and laboratory variables.

RESULTS

Of 11,424 registered patients, safety and efficacy analysis sets comprised of 11,051 and 8,763 patients, respectively. ADRs occurred in 2,129 patients (19.27%) and serious ADRs occurred in 210 patients (1.90%). Renal and urinary disorders (n = 739, 6.69%), particularly polyuria/pollakiuria (n = 612, 5.54%) and volume depletion-events, including dehydration (n = 243, 2.20%), comprised the most common ADRs. Mean (SD) change in hemoglobin A1c (─0.66 [1.25] %), fasting plasma glucose (─28.8 [50.1] mg/dL) and body weight (─3.33 [4.32] kg) from baseline to 36 months were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The safety profile of long-term ipragliflozin treatment in routine clinical practice is consistent with previously reported interim data at 12 or 24 months and pre-approval clinical trials. Ipragliflozin treatment was also associated with sustained improvements in efficacy parameters for over 3 years.

Cocrystals "Divorce and Marriage": When a Binary System Meets an Active Multifunctional Synthon in a Ball Mill

A well-defined and stable "AB" binary system in the presence of "C" a crystalline synthon ground in a ball mill undergoes selective transformation in the solid state according to the equation AB+C→AC+B. When the amount of C is increased two times then the equation AB+2C→AC+BC is valid. The other variants are more complex. The pathway BC+A is allowed and leads to the AC and B products. The pathway AC+B is not preferred, and no transformation is observed. These non-obvious correlations were observed for cocrystal of barbituric acid (BA):thiobarbituric acid (TBA) recently reported by Shemchuk et al. (Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 11815-11818) in the presence of 1-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-imidazole 3-oxide (HIMO). This synthon shows high affinity for the BA_0.5 TBA_0.5 cocrystal as well for its individual components, BA and TBA. Single-quantum, double-quantum (SQ-DQ) 2D ¹ H very fast MAS NMR with a spinning rate of 60 kHz was employed as a basic and most diagnostic tool for the study of cocrystals transformations. Analysis of the experimental data was supported by theoretical calculations, including computation of the stabilization energy, E^stab , defined as the energy difference between the energy of a co-crystal and the sum of the energies of particular components in the respective stoichiometric ratios. Two mechanisms of synthon replacement have been proposed. Pathway 1 assumes a concerted mechanism of substitution. In this approach, synthon attack is synchronized in time with the departure of one of the components of the binary system. Pathway 2 implies a non-concerted process, with an intermediate stage in which three separate components are present. Evidence suggesting a preference for Pathway 2 is shown.

Long-term (52-week) efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin add-on therapy to insulin in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: An uncontrolled, open-label extension of a phase III study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term (52-week) efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin in insulin-treated Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and inadequate glycemic control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this 28-week, open-label extension of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, 24-week phase III study, ipragliflozin recipients continued treatment (50 mg, once daily), and placebo recipients were switched to once-daily 50 mg ipragliflozin at the start of the extension period. The ipragliflozin dose could be increased to 100 mg if warranted. The primary end-point was change in glycated hemoglobin; secondary end-points were change in insulin dose and bodyweight. Safety outcomes were monitored as treatment-emergent adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 53 (placebo switched to ipragliflozin) and 108 (ipragliflozin) patients completed the open-label extension (treatment period 2), with 24 and 44 patients, respectively, receiving dose increases. From baseline to end of treatment, the overall mean change (standard deviation [SD]) in glycated hemoglobin was -0.33% (0.72; -3.7 mmol/mol [7.9]), with changes in basal, bolus and total insulin doses of -3.76 IU (SD 3.85 IU), -2.51 IU (SD 7.08 IU) and -6.27 IU (SD 8.16 IU), respectively. No serious drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events or deaths were reported. Treatment-emergent adverse events leading to study discontinuation occurred in zero and three (2.6%) patients in the placebo switched to ipragliflozin and ipragliflozin groups, respectively; all were considered drug-related. There were no cases of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis, and no safety concerns related to dose increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety of 50 mg, once-daily ipragliflozin in insulin-treated type 1 diabetes mellitus patients were confirmed in this long-term, open-label extension study. No safety concerns were attributed to a dose increase to 100 mg.

Anti-diabetic drugs recent approaches and advancements

Diabetes is one of the major diseases worldwide and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Anti-diabetic drugs are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus to control glucose levels in the blood. Most of the drugs are administered orally, except for a few of them, such as insulin, exenatide, and pramlintide. In this review, we are going to discuss seven major types of anti-diabetic drugs: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors, aldose reductase inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors. Here, we are also discussing some of the recently reported anti-diabetic agents with its multi-target pharmacological actions. This review summarises recent approaches and advancement in anti-diabetes treatment concerning characteristics, structure-activity relationships, functional mechanisms, expression regulation, and applications in medicine.

SGLT inhibitors as antidiabetic agents: a comprehensive review

Diabetes is one of the most common disorders that substantially contributes to an increase in global health burden. As a metabolic disorder, diabetes is associated with various medical conditions and diseases such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis. In this review, we cover the scientific studies on sodium/glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors published during the last decade. Our focus on providing an exhaustive overview of SGLT inhibitors enabled us to present their chemical classification for the first time.

The first zwitterionic cocrystal of indomethacin with amino acid showing optimized physicochemical properties as well as accelerated absorption and slowed elimination in vivo

The first zwitterionic cocrystal of indomethacin (INC) with proline (PL) with optimized in vitro/in vivo properties was prepared and characterized.

Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors and Fracture Risk

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) appear to have increased risk for fractures. In this context, the finding that canagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT) inhibitor, increased the risk for fracture compared with placebo in the Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study (CANVAS), a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) in patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, created concern. In the present review, we summarize the data regarding the association between SGLT2 inhibitors and fracture risk in patients with T2DM. In contrast to the findings reported in CANVAS, canagliflozin did not affect the risk of fracture in a more recent, large RCT in patients with diabetic nephropathy. In addition, empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, other members of this class, also do not appear to affect the incidence of fracture. Moreover, there is no clear pathogenetic mechanism through which SGLT2 inhibitors increase the risk for fractures. Therefore, available data are inconclusive to attribute to these drugs a direct responsibility for bone fractures.

Turning Foes to Friends: Knocking Down Diabetes Associated SGLT2 Transporters and Sustaining Life

BACKGROUND

The discovery of Sodium-Glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors had rewritten the treatment of diabetes mellitus with an impressive fall in the incidence of death and associated complications.

INTRODUCTION

The SGLT2 inhibitors by inhibiting the SGLT2 in the proximal nephron, helps in reducing the reabsorption of approximately 90% of the filtered glucose and increased urinary glucose excretion (UGE).

METHODS

The literature related to SGLT2 inhibitors has been thoroughly explored from various available public domains and reviewed extensively for this article. Detailed and updated information related to SGLT2 inhibitors with a major focus on the recently approved Ertuglifolzin is structured in this review.

RESULT

The present review is an effort to understand the management of diabetes mellitus over the past few decades with a special focus on the role of SGLT2 receptor in the causes of therapeutic and preventive strategies for diabetes mellitus. Pragmatic placement of the currently available Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin as oral antidiabetic agents has been done. Well accommodated stereochemistry and a high docking score of Ertugliflozin in ligand-receptor simulation studies attribute to its high potency.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the unique mechanism of SGLT2 Inhibitors coupled with pleiotropic benefits on weight and blood pressure, which make it an attractive choice of therapy to diabetic patients, not controlled by other medications.

Safety of Ipragliflozin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Pooled Analysis of Phase II/III/IV Clinical Trials

INTRODUCTION

Ipragliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this pooled analysis was to characterise the safety profile of ipragliflozin based on safety data from published randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

Safety data from 12 randomised, phase II/III/IV placebo-controlled, parallel group, comparative studies of ipragliflozin in patients with T2DM were pooled. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were analysed for patients who had received at least one dose of ipragliflozin 50 mg (n = 1209) or placebo (n = 796) in studies lasting for up to 24 weeks. TEAEs of special interest and serious adverse events (SAEs) were assessed, as well as abnormal laboratory test and vital sign measurements.

RESULTS

The overall incidences of TEAEs and SAEs between the ipragliflozin and placebo groups were similar, 63.8% vs 59.3% and 2.5% vs 3.3%, respectively. The incidence of TEAEs leading to permanent discontinuation was lower for ipragliflozin (3.6%) than placebo (6.5%). The incidences of TEAEs of special interest including those related to urinary tract infection, cardiovascular events, renal disorder, fracture, malignant tumours and hypoglycaemia were also similar between the groups. Genital infections were more frequent with ipragliflozin (2.4%) than placebo (0.6%), as were pollakiuria/polyuria (6.0% vs 2.0%), volume depletion (4.9% vs 1.8%) and skin/subcutaneous tissue disorders (7.7% vs 4.4%). There were no reported cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, fractures, lower-limb amputation or Fournier's gangrene in ipragliflozin-treated patients across the 12 studies.

CONCLUSION

In randomised, placebo-controlled trials of patients with T2DM, ipragliflozin was well tolerated, with a similar overall incidence of TEAEs to placebo. No new safety signals were observed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT01071850, NCT00621868, NCT01057628, NCT01117584, NCT01135433, NCT01225081, NCT01242215, NCT02175784, NCT01505426, NCT02452632, NCT02794792, NCT01316094.

FUNDING

Astellas Pharma Inc.

Ipragliflozin as an add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: An evidence-based pharmacoeconomics evaluation

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of ipragliflozin as an add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and four Chinese databases, as well as the ClinicalTrials.gov website were searched from their inception through Jan 2019. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3.

RESULTS

A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 1766 patients were included. Ipragliflozin administered (50 mg) once daily as an add-on therapy to other glucose-lowering medications (metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylurea, α-glucosidase inhibitor, sitagliptin, insulin) was associated with reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of -0.74% (95% confidence interval (CI) -1.00 to -0.48), fasting plasma glucose (WMD -25.03 mg/dL; 95% CI -32.89 to -17.16), weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglycerides levels. Neither the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.16) nor drug-related TEAEs (RR 1.19; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.54) was significantly increased. However, it was associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia when added to insulin (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.61). Compared with the pioglitazone group and the sitagliptin + metformin group, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ipragliflozin add-on therapy group was $4976.89, $2089.76 per percentage of qualified HbA1c, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ipragliflozin as an add-on therapy is well tolerated and effective. Ipragliflozin as an add-on therapy do not appear cost-effective compared with metformin alone, but may be competitive against pioglitazone group and the sitagliptin + metformin group.

Safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in elderly versus non-elderly Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: 12 month interim results of the STELLA-LONG TERM study

Objective: STELLA-LONG TERM is an ongoing post-marketing surveillance study examining the safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in real-world clinical practice in Japan. This interim report of STELLA-LONG TERM examined the safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in non-elderly and elderly Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using data up to 12 months. Methods: Data from T2DM patients who were first prescribed ipragliflozin between July 2014 and October 2015 and whose 12 month data were locked by January 2018 were analyzed and compared between non-elderly (<65 years) and elderly patients (≥65 years). Results: The safety and efficacy analysis sets included 11,051 and 8788 patients, respectively. Elderly patients accounted for 28.6% (n = 3157) of the study population. The mean body mass index was 29.9 kg/m² and 26.8 kg/m², the percentage of patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <8.0% was 50.1% and 59.5%, and the percentage of patients with complications was 83.2% and 87.3% in the non-elderly and elderly groups, respectively. Mean HbA1c and body weight decreased significantly from baseline to 12 months in both age groups, regardless of baseline HbA1c and body weight (all p < .05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was 14.8% and 14.2% and that of serious ADRs was 0.8% and 1.4% in non-elderly and elderly patients, respectively (p = .002 for serious ADRs). Conclusion: The incidence of serious ADRs was higher in elderly patients than non-elderly patients. Ipragliflozin was effective in both non-elderly and elderly patients with T2DM in the real-world clinical setting.

Efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin add-on therapy to insulin in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily ipragliflozin 50 mg versus placebo in Japanese people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) inadequately controlled with insulin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Participants (N = 175) were randomized (2:1) to receive once-daily ipragliflozin 50 mg (n = 115) or placebo (n = 60), combined with insulin, for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); key secondary endpoints included change in insulin dose and body weight. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The ipragliflozin group demonstrated a significant decrease in HbA1c from baseline to end of treatment versus the placebo group: adjusted mean difference (AMD) -3.8 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] -6.2, -1.5) or - 0.36% (95% CI -0.57, -0.14; P = 0.001). Significant reductions in total daily insulin dose (AMD -7.35 IU [95% CI -9.09, -5.61]; P < 0.001) and body weight (AMD -2.87 kg [95% CI -3.58, -2.16]; P < 0.001) were observed for the ipragliflozin group versus placebo. Two serious TEAEs occurred (major hypoglycaemia and abdominal abscess); both were in the placebo group. All other TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Four cases of study discontinuation occurred; three in the placebo group and one in the ipragliflozin group. No diabetic ketoacidosis was reported for any participant in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily ipragliflozin 50 mg in combination with insulin significantly reduced HbA1c, daily insulin dose and body weight versus placebo in people with T1DM. No safety concerns were identified after 24 weeks of treatment. Overall, once-daily ipragliflozin 50 mg was both efficacious and well tolerated.

Efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin as add-on to metformin for type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin as add-on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: Systematic literature searches were performed in several databases across PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline, ClinicalTrials.gov, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from inception to 12 March 2019. After the extraction of data from eligible studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for quality and analyzed statistically. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs were used to evaluate efficacy and safety end-points. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses based on intervention times were also performed.Results: Five RCTs with 847 patients were included. Compared to metformin alone, ipragliflozin as an adjuvant to metformin reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively [12 w: SMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.10%, p = 0.004; 24 w: SMD -0.88, 95% CI -1.04 to -0.72%, p < 0.00001; Total: SMD -0.66, 95% CI -0.79 to -0.53%, p < 0.00001]. In addition, ipragliflozin as adjuvant therapy to metformin body weight (Total: SMD -1.47, 95% CI [-1.80,-1.14], p < 0.00001), waist circumference (Total: SMD -1.09, 95% CI [-1.62,-0.56], p < 0.00001), and blood pressure (SBP Total: SMD -3.36, 95% CI [-5.11.-1.61], p = 0.0002; DBP Total: SMD -2.18, 95% CI [-3.63,-0.74], p = 0.003). Compared to metformin alone, ipragliflozin as an adjuvant to metformin showed significant risks in the skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders and constipation.Conclusion: Compared to metformin alone, ipragliflozin plus metformin significantly improved glycemic control, reduced body weight, and lowered blood pressure; however, further high-quality trials are required to determine their long-term efficacy and safety.