iGlarLixi, a titratable once-daily fixed-ratio combination of basal insulin and lixisenatide for intensifying type 2 diabetes management for patients inadequately controlled on basal insulin with or without oral agents

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists-Use in Clinical Practice

In the past 2 decades, eight glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, each with its peculiar molecular structure, pharmacokinetics, and metabolic effects. Along with their marked glucose-lowering actions, which occur both at fasting and in the postprandial phase without an increased risk of hypoglycemia, GLP-1RAs have provided marked reductions in body weight and ancillary improvements in blood pressure and lipid profile. Recent cardiovascular outcome trials have established the benefits of GLP-1RAs on major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, independent of glucose control, with minor effects on preventing hospitalization for heart failure. Novel evidence is also emerging on the protection of GLP-1RAs against diabetic kidney disease, mainly preventing the onset of macroalbuminuria. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the cardiorenal protective properties of GLP-1RAs, which may be direct or mediated by additional hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects. With their favorable cardiometabolic properties and safety profile, GLP-1RAs may offer an ideal pharmacological option for the management of diabetic kidney disease. In this review, we discuss pharmacokinetic properties, glucometabolic effects, and cardioprotective actions of GLP-1RAs, highlighting the available evidence for a kidney protective role and the proposed mechanisms.

Titratable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine plus lixisenatide: A simplified approach to glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Approximately 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not achieve glycemic targets and require treatment intensification. A fixed-ratio combination of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) with basal insulin, such as lixisenatide with insulin glargine (iGlarLixi), exploits the complementary mechanisms of action of each component to address hyperglycemia while mitigating potential adverse events (AEs). The iGlarLixi dose is titrated considering the effect of basal insulin on fasting plasma glucose, and the fixed-ratio combination ensures that the lixisenatide dose never exceeds 20 μg/day. We describe the characteristics of iGlarLixi therapy, based on the LixiLan clinical program, and provide guidance on the characteristics of patients likely to benefit from such treatment in routine clinical practice. In the phase III LixiLan trials, iGlarLixi resulted in significantly greater reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), better achievement of HbA1c targets, less glycemic variability versus insulin glargine, lixisenatide or GLP-1 RA alone, and was associated with weight control, less hypoglycemia versus insulin glargine, and fewer GI AEs versus lixisenatide. Findings were consistent regardless of age, diabetes duration, and baseline HbA1c. The efficacy, safety, and convenient once-daily administration schedule of iGlarLixi make it a valuable treatment option for patients with T2DM requiring treatment intensification.

Rationale for a titratable fixed-ratio co-formulation of a basal insulin analog and a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Achieving and maintaining recommended glycemic targets, including those for glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1C), is key to improving outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). As fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose contribute to overall A1C, targeting both is essential for sustaining glycemic control.

METHODS

This review examines the complementary mechanisms of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and basal insulin; they both enhance glucose-stimulated insulin release and suppress glucagon secretion. GLP-1 receptor agonists also slow gastric emptying and increase satiety.

RESULTS

Adding a GLP-1 receptor agonist to therapy with a basal insulin analog has been associated with improved overall glycemic control, with comparable risk of hypoglycemia and no weight gain. Titratable fixed-ratio co-formulations of basal insulin and a GLP-1 receptor agonist have been shown to improve glycemic control, with less complex dosing schedules, possibly increasing treatment adherence. The slow titration of fixed-ratio co-formulations has been shown to reduce the occurrence and severity of gastrointestinal adverse events associated with the use of a separate GLP-1 receptor agonist. Titratable fixed-ratio co-formulations also mitigate insulin-associated weight gain, and show a comparable risk of hypoglycemia to basal insulin use alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety of titratable fixed-ratio co-formulations have been demonstrated for insulin degludec/liraglutide and insulin glargine/lixisenatide in the DUAL and LixiLan trials, respectively, in both insulin-naive and -experienced patients. Titratable fixed-ratio co-formulations represent an attractive treatment option for many patients with T2D.