A review of the safety and efficacy data for insulin glargine 300 units/ml, a new formulation of insulin glargine

Effectiveness of insulin glargine U-300 versus insulin glargine U-100 on nocturnal hypoglycemia and glycemic control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To assess the effectiveness of insulin glargine 300 ui/ml (Gla-300) compared with insulin glargine 100 ui/ml (Gla-100) on reducing nocturnal hypoglycemia and improving glycemic control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until July 4th, 2018. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017080134). We included randomized clinical trials comparing Gla-300 versus Gla-100 reporting the rate ratio or number of events of nocturnal hypoglycemia and HbA_1c levels percentage or mmol/mol^-1. The main outcome was the incidence rate ratio (RR) of nocturnal hypoglycemia events. The heterogeneity of results across studies was assessed using the I² statistic. Fixed- and random-effect models were used to estimate pooled RRs.

RESULTS

Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 3977 adult patients. Compared with Gla-100, the use of Gla-300 reduced confirmed nocturnal hypoglycemia [RR = 0.81 (0.69, 0.95)] and clinically significant nocturnal hypoglycemia [RR = 0.75 (0.63, 0.91)]. Reductions in clinically significant nocturnal hypoglycemia events [RR = 0.64 (0.42, 0.97)] in type 1 diabetes patients were found. A small decrease in HbA_1c levels in favor of Gla-300 in the pooled sample was identified [ES = - 0.08 (95% CI - 0.14, - 0.01)].

CONCLUSIONS

The best current evidence indicates that Gla-300 reduces the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia with slight improvements in glycemic control compared with Gla-100 in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes adult patients.

Effects of Insulin Degludec and Insulin Glargine U300 on Day-to-Day Fasting Plasma Glucose Variability in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes: A Multicenter, Randomized, Crossover Study (Kobe Best Basal Insulin Study 2)

INTRODUCTION

Administered basal insulin markedly influences the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Insulin degludec (IDeg) and insulin glargine U300 (IGlar U300) are now available as ultra-long-acting insulin formulations, but whether or how their glucose-stabilizing effects differ remains unclear. We will compare the effects of these basal insulins on parameters related to blood glucose control, with a focus on day-to-day glycemic variability, in individuals with type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily injections.

METHODS

A multicenter, randomized, open-label, crossover, comparative study (Kobe Best Basal Insulin Study 2) will be performed at 13 participating institutions in Japan. A total of 46 C-peptide-negative adult outpatients with type 1 diabetes will be randomly assigned 1:1 by a centralized allocation process to IGlar U300 (first period)/IDeg (second period) or IDeg (first period)/IGlar U300 (second period) groups, in which subjects will be treated with the corresponding basal insulin for consecutive 4-week periods. The basal insulin will be titrated to achieve an FPG of less than 130 mg/dL initially and then less than 110 mg/dL if feasible. In the last week of each period, plasma glucose will be determined seven times a day by self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and intraday and day-to-day glucose excursions will be determined by flash glucose monitoring (FGM). The primary end point is comparison of day-to-day glycemic variability as evaluated by the standard deviation (SD) of FPG during the last week of each treatment period. Secondary end points include the coefficient of variance of FPG, the frequency of severe hypoglycemia as evaluated by SMBG, the duration of hypoglycemia as evaluated by FGM, intraday glycemic variability calculated from both SMBG and FGM data, and the administered insulin dose.

PLANNED OUTCOMES

The results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal to report differences in the effects of two ultra-long-acting basal insulins, IDeg and IGlar U300.

CONCLUSION

This head-to-head comparison will be the first study to compare the effects of IDeg and IGlar U300 on day-to-day FPG variability in C-peptide-negative individuals with type 1 diabetes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered in University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry as 000029630 on 20 June 2017.

FUNDING

Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd.

New Injectable Agents for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Part 1 - Injectable Insulins

The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently approved several new insulin products and new formulations of existing insulin products. These new products may provide advantages over older products, such as a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia and ease of dosing; however, they are costly. The first of 2 articles in a series, this review will describe the potential advantages and disadvantages of these new insulin products.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin glargine 300 U/mL in the treatment of diabetes and their clinical relevance

INTRODUCTION

A more concentrated insulin glargine formulation, containing 300 U/mL (Gla-300) was approved in 2015 in the US and Europe for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults.

AREAS COVERED

This drug evaluation focuses on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of Gla-300 from studies published up to May 2016. The clinical relevance of this new formulation will be addressed.

EXPERT OPINION

Gla-300 was developed to produce a flatter and more prolonged PK/PD profile compared with insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) in order to maintain effective glycemic control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Compared to Gla-100, Gla-300 achieves lower and delayed peak concentrations with a PK exposure that is more stable and evenly distributed across a 24-h dosing interval. As a consequence, Gla-300 results in a consistent glucose-lowering effect with less variability over a 24-h dosing interval, which translates to a reduction in the rate of hypoglycemia (particularly nocturnal events).

Insulin: Making Sense of Current Options

Newer insulin products have advanced the evolution of insulin replacement options to more accurately mimic natural insulin action. There are new, modified, and concentrated insulins; administration devices calibrated for both increased concentrations and administration accuracy to improve adherence and safety; and inhaled insulin. There are new combinations of longer-acting basal insulin and rapid-acting insulin or glucagon like protein-1 receptor agonists. Existing insulin replacement designs and methods can be updated using these tools to improve efficacy and safety. Individualized decisions to use them should be based on patient physiologic needs, self-care ability, comorbidities, and cost considerations.