Combination treatment with ipragliflozin and metformin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adverse Drug Events Observed with the Novel Sodium/Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor Ipragliflozin for the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Studies

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming a major issue worldwide. To effectively control the blood sugar of patients with T2DM, several novel oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) are being developed. Sodium/glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT 2) inhibitors have recently shown beneficial outcomes in patients with T2DM. In this analysis, we aimed to systematically compare the adverse drug events observed with ipragliflozin versus placebo for the treatment of patients with T2DM.

METHODS

http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov , the bibliographic database of life science and biomedical information MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central were searched for English publications satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study. Adverse drug events were the end points in this analysis. The latest version (5.4) of the RevMan software was used to analyze the data, and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent the data post analysis.

RESULTS

Eight randomized studies with a total of 1519 participants with T2DM were included in this analysis whereby total treatment-emergent adverse events (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96-1.16; P = 0.26), including mild (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.79-1.13; P = 0.54), moderate (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.72-1.51; P = 0.83) and severe treatment-emergent adverse events (RR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.26-1.96; P = 0.52), were not significantly different in those patients who were assigned to ipragliflozin versus placebo for the treatment of T2DM. Moreover, drug-related adverse events (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.69-1.58; P = 0.85), adverse events leading to drug discontinuation (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.57-2.10; P = 0.79), urinary tract infection (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.60-1.77; P = 0.91), naso-pharyngitis (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.19-1.52; P = 0.25), constipation (RR: 1.94, 95% CI: 0.90-4.20; P = 0.09), dizziness (RR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.20-3.23; P = 0.76), gastrointestinal disorders (RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.68-1.36; P = 0.82) and dehydration (RR: 2.26, 95% CI: 0.38-13.43; P = 0.37) were also not significantly different. However, genital infection (RR: 4.53, 95% CI: 1.48-13.85; P = 0.008) and hypoglycemia (RR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.03-2.74; P = 0.04) rates were significantly higher in the ipragliflozin group.

CONCLUSIONS

The current analysis showed ipragliflozin to be associated with significantly higher genital infection rates compared to placebo, whereas no significant difference was observed compared to the other adverse drug events in these patients with T2DM. In addition, hypoglycemia was also not significantly different following sensitivity analysis.

Preparation and characterization of metformin hydrochloride controlled-release tablet using fatty acid coated granules

Metformin hydrochloride (MFM) is often used as a controlled-release (CR) tablet to reduce dosing frequency. However, the MFM CR tablet contains significant amounts of excipients and the tablet size is also large. Dosing convenience and patient compliance can be increased by reducing the size of the CR tablets. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the MFM controlled-release tablet (MFM-CRT) using two types of release modulators, inner and outer. The MFM-CRT was prepared by coating the MFM granules using a binder solution containing aluminum stearate (ALS) as the inner release-modulator, and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as the outer release-modulator. The dispersion stability of the binder solution was optimized by the dispersion analyzer. The MFM-CRT was evaluated for dissolution rate and tablet volume. Additionally, dissolution behavior and dissolution kinetics of the MFM-CRT were analyzed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Although the optimal MFM-CRT showed no difference in the release rate as compared to the commercially available product of Glucophage^® XR 500 mg (f₂ value: 72), the length of the long axis was reduced by 6 mm and the weight was reduced by about 27%. We expect patient compliance to improve because of effective sustained release and volume reduction of MFM-CRT.

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.

Tolerability and Efficacy of Ipragliflozin in The Management of Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AIM

Ipragliflozin is a new antidiabetic agent that works through enhancing renal glucose excretion. We aim to synthesize evidence from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the safety and efficacy of ipragliflozin in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central register of clinical trials using relevant keywords. Records were screened for eligible studies and data were extracted and synthesized using Review Manager Version 5.3 for windows. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

We included 13 RCTs (N=2535 patients) in the final analysis. The overall effect estimates favoured ipragliflozin 50mg monotherapy group over placebo in terms of: HbA1c (Standardized mean difference (SMD)=-1.20%, 95% Confidence interval (95% CI)=[-1.47, -0.93]; p<0.001), fasting plasma glucose (SMD=-1.30 mg/dL, 95% CI [-1.93, -0.67]; p<0.001), fasting serum insulin (SMD=-1.64 μU/mL, 95% CI [-2.70, -0.59]; p=0.002), and body weight (SMD=-0.85 kg, 95% CI [-1.19, -0.51]; p<0.001). Similarly, better glycemic control and significant body weight reduction compared to placebo were attained in ipragliflozin 50 mg combination with metformin, insulin with/without dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, sulfonylurea, and pioglitazone. Ipragliflozin, either alone or in combination, exhibits acceptable safety profile.

CONCLUSION

The presented meta-analysis provides class one evidence that ipragliflozin is safe and effective in the management of T2DM either as monotherapy or an add-on.

The Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Ipragliflozin Promotes Preferential Loss of Fat Mass in Non-obese Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rats

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by increasing urinary glucose excretion. In addition to their antihyperglycemic effect, SGLT2 inhibitors also reduce body weight and fat mass in obese and overweight patients with T2DM. However, whether or not SGLT2 inhibitors similarly affect body composition of non-obese patients with T2DM remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin on body composition in a Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat model of non-obese T2DM. GK rats were treated with ipragliflozin once daily for 9 weeks, starting at 23 weeks of age. Body composition was then analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Treatment with ipragliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion, reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and suppressed body weight gain as the dose increased. Body composition analysis revealed that body fat mass was lower in the ipragliflozin-treated groups than in the control group, while lean body mass and bone mineral contents were comparable between groups. Thus, an SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin was found to promote preferential loss of fat mass in a rat model of non-obese T2DM. Ipragliflozin might also promote preferential loss of fat in non-obese patients with T2DM.

A Comprehensive Review of Drug-Drug Interactions with Metformin

Metformin is the world's most commonly used oral glucose-lowering drug for type 2 diabetes, and this is mainly because it protects against diabetes-related mortality and all-cause mortality. Although it is an old drug, its mechanism of action has not yet been clarified and its pharmacokinetic pathway is still not fully understood. There is considerable inter-individual variability in the response to metformin, and this has led to many drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies of metformin. In this review, we describe both in vitro and human interaction studies of metformin both as a victim and as a perpetrator. We also clarify the importance of including pharmacodynamic end points in DDI studies of metformin and taking pharmacogenetic variation into account when performing these studies to avoid hidden pitfalls in the interpretation of DDIs with metformin. This evaluation of the literature has revealed holes in our knowledge and given clues as to where future DDI studies should be focused and performed.

Pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) are proposed as a novel approach for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several compounds are already available in many countries (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin and ipragliflozin) and some others are in a late phase of development. The available SGLT2 inhibitors share similar pharmacokinetic characteristics, with a rapid oral absorption, a long elimination half-life allowing once-daily administration, an extensive hepatic metabolism mainly via glucuronidation to inactive metabolites, the absence of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions and a low renal elimination as parent drug. SGLT2 co-transporters are responsible for reabsorption of most (90 %) of the glucose filtered by the kidneys. The pharmacological inhibition of SGLT2 co-transporters reduces hyperglycaemia by decreasing renal glucose threshold and thereby increasing urinary glucose excretion. The amount of glucose excreted in the urine depends on both the level of hyperglycaemia and the glomerular filtration rate. Results of numerous placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials of 12-104 weeks duration have shown significant reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of patients reaching HbA1c targets, and a significant lowering of fasting plasma glucose when SGLT2 inhibitors were administered as monotherapy or in addition to other glucose-lowering therapies including insulin in patients with T2DM. In head-to-head trials of up to 2 years, SGLT2 inhibitors exerted similar glucose-lowering activity to metformin, sulphonylureas or sitagliptin. The durability of the glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibitors appears to be better; however, this remains to be more extensively investigated. The risk of hypoglycaemia was much lower with SGLT2 inhibitors than with sulphonylureas and was similarly low as that reported with metformin, pioglitazone or sitagliptin. Increased renal glucose elimination also assists weight loss and could help to reduce blood pressure. Both effects were very consistent across the trials and they represent some advantages for SGLT2 inhibitors when compared with other oral glucose-lowering agents. The pharmacodynamic response to SGLT2 inhibitors declines with increasing severity of renal impairment, and prescribing information for each SGLT2 inhibitor should be consulted regarding dosage adjustments or restrictions in moderate to severe renal dysfunction. Caution is also recommended in the elderly population because of a higher risk of renal impairment, orthostatic hypotension and dehydration, even if the absence of hypoglycaemia represents an obvious advantage in this population. The overall effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the risk of cardiovascular disease is unknown and will be evaluated in several ongoing prospective placebo-controlled trials with cardiovascular outcomes. The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on renal function and their potential to influence the course of diabetic nephropathy also deserve more attention. SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well-tolerated. The most frequently reported adverse events are female genital mycotic infections, while urinary tract infections are less commonly observed and generally benign. In conclusion, with their unique mechanism of action that is independent of insulin secretion and action, SGLT2 inhibitors are a useful addition to the therapeutic options available for the management of T2DM at any stage in the natural history of the disease. Although SGLT2 inhibitors have already been extensively investigated, further studies should even better delineate the best place of these new glucose-lowering agents in the already rich armamentarium for the management of T2DM.

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the novel SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin

Ipragliflozin (Suglat(®)) is a potent and selective inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 that was recently launched in Japan. Its mechanism of action involves the suppression of glucose re-absorption in the kidney proximal tubules, causing excretion of glucose in the urine. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data on ipragliflozin, including studies in healthy subjects, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and special populations. In single- and multiple-dose studies, the maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) for ipragliflozin increased in a dose-dependent manner. Although urinary excretion of ipragliflozin is low (approximately 1 %), tubular concentration of free ipragliflozin is adequate to provide pharmacological activities. No clinically relevant effects of age, gender or food on the exposure of ipragliflozin were observed. The AUC for ipragliflozin was 20-30 % greater in patients with moderate renal or hepatic impairment than in patients with normal renal or hepatic function. In drug-drug interaction studies, the pharmacokinetics of ipragliflozin and other oral antidiabetic drugs (metformin, sitagliptin, pioglitazone, glimepiride, miglitol and mitiglinide) were not significantly affected by their co-administration. Urinary glucose excretion (UGE) also increased in a dose-dependent manner, approaching a maximum effect at 50-100 mg dosages in Japanese healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes. The change in UGE from baseline (ΔUGE) tended to be lower in older subjects and female subjects, compared with younger subjects and male subjects, respectively. ΔUGE tended to decrease with decreasing renal function, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes with moderate or severe renal impairment.

Ipragliflozin: first global approval

Ipragliflozin (Suglat® [Japan]), an orally active, next-generation sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has been developed by Astellas Pharma and Kotobuki Pharmaceutical for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ipragliflozin has received its first global approval in this indication in Japan, for use as monotherapy or in combination with another antihyperglycaemic agent (metformin, pioglitazone, a sulfonylurea, an α-glucosidase inhibitor, a dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor or nateglinide). Ipragliflozin is the first SGLT2 inhibitor to be approved in Japan. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of ipragliflozin leading to this first approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ipragliflozin in combination with metformin for the treatment of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: ILLUMINATE, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, in combination with metformin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients were randomized in a 2 : 1 ratio to 50 mg ipragliflozin (n = 112) or placebo (n = 56) once daily for 24 weeks, followed by a 28-week open-label extension in which all patients received 50 or 100 mg ipragliflozin, while continuing metformin. The primary outcome was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 24. HbA1c decreased significantly in the ipragliflozin group (-0.87%; adjusted mean difference from placebo: -1.30%; p < 0.001). The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar in both groups, although pollakiuria and constipation were more common in the ipragliflozin group; thus, ipragliflozin significantly improved glycaemic control and reduced body weight without major safety issues in Japanese patients with T2DM.

Ipragliflozin: A novel sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor developed in Japan

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition induces glucosuria and decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients and lowers hypoglycemic risk. SGLT1 is expressed in the kidney and intestine; SGLT1 inhibition causes abdominal symptoms such as diarrhea and reduces incretin secretion. Therefore, SGLT2 selectivity is important. Ipragliflozin is highly selective for SGLT2. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), urinary glucose excretion increased to 90 g/24 h after 28 d of treatment with ipragliflozin 300 mg/d. Twelve weeks of ipragliflozin 50 mg/d vs placebo reduced glycated hemoglobin and body weight by 0.65% and 0.66 kg, respectively, in Western T2DM patients, and by 1.3% and 1.89 kg, respectively, in Japanese patients. Ipragliflozin (highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor) improves glycemic control and reduces body weight and lowers hypoglycemic risk and abdominal symptoms. Ipragliflozin can be a novel anti-diabetic and anti-obesity agent.

Discontinued in 2013: diabetic drugs

INTRODUCTION

The increasing prevalence of diabetes, with no cure on the horizon, continues to provide biopharmaceutical companies with an incentive to develop novel therapies and improve existing compounds.

AREAS COVERED

The following paper provides a summary of the experimental drug projects targeted for diabetes and associated complications that were discontinued in 2013. The discontinued projects, highlighted in this article, were identified via biopharmaceutical company pipelines, annual reports, and press releases. The authors also used other sources including: Google, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PubMed. Compounds were in various stages of development at termination and many of them had been associated with favorable effects in earlier studies.

EXPERT OPINION

There were two main reasons for the termination of anti-diabetic compounds that dominated 2013: concerns about safety and efficacy. Attempts to discover a novel mechanism that is both safe and effective in human disease present many challenges, not least is the cost for developing new treatments.

Combinational therapy with metformin and sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors in management of type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analyses

AIMS

In search of add-on treatments to metformin, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are potential candidates. This meta-analysis examines the potential use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in combination with metformin as a therapeutic option for type 2 diabetes management in patients with inadequate control with metformin.

METHODS

A literature search was made in several databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) utilizing metformin therapy combined with SGLT-2 inhibitors or placebo. Heterogeneity was estimated with I(2) statistics and random effect model was chosen for the meta-analyses of mean differences in changes from baseline in both SGLT-2 inhibitor treated and control groups.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs were selected for the meta-analysis. In comparison with placebo-MET, the SGLT-2 inhibitor-MET combination therapy resulted in significant HbA1c decline in 12-24 week duration, to less extent after 1 year (-0.37 [-0.77, 0.03]; P=0.07) but not by 2 year (-0.41 [-1.09, 0.28]; P=0.24) duration. SGLT-2 inhibitor-MET significantly lowered FPG and body weight after 24 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure declined only in the short-term (12-24 weeks). After 2 years, neither systolic (-1.80 [-6.18, 2.58]; P=0.42) nor diastolic blood pressure (-0.20 [-2.94, 2.54]; P=0.89) declined significantly more than control. Incidence of suspected genital infections was slightly more in SGLT-2 inhibitor-MET group.

CONCLUSION

SGLT-2 inhibition in combination with metformin is a potential therapeutic option based on its effects on glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure, but further trials are required to refine this evidence.

The safety of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors added to metformin background therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to assess the safety profile of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in comparison with placebo as add-on to metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials were identified by searching Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database until 15 July 2013. All included studies were critically appraised and analysed with the use of Review Manager 5.1.0 software according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement protocol. Twenty randomized and double-blinded studies published in 22 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The overall results demonstrated that the use of oral antidiabetic agents (analysed separately and together) was not associated with any significantly increased risk of any serious adverse events including hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, the use of DPP-4 or SGLT-2 inhibitors significantly decreased risk of diarrhoea compared with placebo, when given concomitantly with metformin. However, we found that the SGLT-2 inhibitors were more likely to cause a genital infection. Despite some limitations, the findings of this meta-analysis indicate that DPP-4 or SGLT-2 inhibitors have favourable safety profile, and such therapy, when combined with metformin is well tolerated.

SGLT2 inhibitors to control glycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a new approach to an old problem

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with a novel insulin-independent mechanism of action. The SGLT2 is a transporter found in the proximal tubule of the kidney and is responsible for approximately 90% of renal glucose reabsorption. The SGLT2 inhibitors reduce reabsorption of glucose in the kidney, resulting in glucose excretion in the urine (50-90 g of ~180 g filtered by the kidneys daily), which in turn lowers plasma glucose levels in people with diabetes. The insulin-independent mechanism of action of SGLT2 inhibitors dictates that they are associated with a very low risk of hypoglycemia and can be used in patients with any degree of β-cell function or insulin sensitivity. Clinical trials have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors are effective at reducing blood glucose levels, body weight, and blood pressure when used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors is generally well tolerated, although these agents have been associated with an increased incidence of genital infections. The SGLT2 inhibitors have become a valuable addition to the armory of drugs used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and several agents within the class are currently under investigation in phase III clinical trials.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors: A New Mechanism for Glycemic Control

Glucosuria, the presence of glucose in the urine, has long been regarded as a consequence of uncontrolled diabetes. However, glucose excretion can be induced by blocking the activity of the renal sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2). This mechanism corrects hyperglycemia independently of insulin. This article provides an overview of the paradigm shift that triggered the development of the SGLT-2 inhibitor class of agents and summarizes the available evidence from clinical studies to date.