Clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and persistence in individuals with type 2 diabetes initiating a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist: A retrospective analysis of the Diabetes Prospective Follow-Up Registry

Association of Changes in A1C Following Continuous Glucose Monitoring Acquisition in People with Sub-Optimally Treated Type 2 Diabetes Taking GLP-1 RA Therapy

INTRODUCTION

Both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improve glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, it is unknown whether adding CGM to GLP-1 RA therapy further improves A1c. We evaluated changes in A1c levels 6 months after initiation of FreeStyle Libre (FSL) in adults with sub-optimally controlled T2D already on GLP-1 RA therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational study used Optum's de-identified Market Clarity Data, a linked electronic health record-claims database to assess changes in A1c after FSL acquisition. Inclusion criteria were T2D diagnosis, ≥ 18 years, baseline A1c ≥ 8%, with the first FSL acquisition between 2018 and 2022. Patients were required to be on GLP-1 RA prior to FSL with at least one GLP-1 RA prescription within 90 days of FSL acquisition. GLP-1 RA initiation was defined as the earliest GLP-1 RA prescription from 2017 onwards. Paired changes in A1c were assessed at 6 months after initial FSL acquisition.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 1454 adults with T2D (age 55 ± 10 years, 52% male, 38% with intensive insulin therapy, median 471 days from GLP-1 RA initiation to FSL, and baseline A1c 9.8 ± 1.5%). After FSL acquisition, patients experienced an A1c decrease of 1.5 ± 1.9% (p < 0.001). Patients with a baseline A1c > 10% had the largest reduction (n = 497, - 2.7 ± 2.2%, p < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in subgroups based on insulin therapy and GLP-1 RA formulation. Those initiating GLP-1 RA therapy > 24 months before FSL acquisition also showed improvements in A1c (n = 478; - 1.3 ± 1.7%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, real-world study of adults with T2D, those on prior GLP-1 RA therapy experienced significant A1c improvements after acquiring FSL, irrespective of GLP-1 RA duration, GLP-1 RA formulation, or insulin therapy type. These findings support the use of FSL in adults with T2D treated with GLP-1 RA.

Out of stock: A brief clinical reference for rough equivalency of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) ± glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists for A1c and weight reduction in people with type 2 diabetes

Highlights Despite the common practice of switching patients from one medicine to another—to improve efficacy, safety, or tolerability—guidance on how to do so is uncommon. During this time of global shortage of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1 RA) ± glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) RA therapies, this research letter offers a quick clinical reference of rough equivalency between GLP‐1 ± GIP RA for A1c and body weight reduction in people with type 2 diabetes.

Effectiveness of oral semaglutide on glucose control and body weight up to 18 months: a multicenter retrospective real-world study

AIM

Oral semaglutide, an innovative orally administered GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes (T2D) management was herein evaluated for its effectiveness in a multi-center retrospective real-world study.

METHODS

We included new-users of oral semaglutide from 18 specialist care centres and collected retrospective data on baseline clinical characteristics. Updated values of HbA1c and body weight were analyzed using the mixed model for repeated measures.

RESULTS

The study included 166 individuals with T2D, predominantly men (64.5%), with a mean age of 64.4 years and a mean diabetes duration of 10.1 years. In the majority of patients (68.3%) oral semaglutide was used as a second-line drug, mostly with metformin. At baseline, mean BMI was 28.9 kg/m2 and HbA1c was 7.5%. During the 18-month observation period, oral semaglutide demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c, with a maximum change of - 0.9%, and 42.1% of patients achieved HbA1c values below 7.0%. Additionally, there was a substantial reduction in body weight, with an estimated change of - 3.4 kg at 18 months, and 30.3% of patients experienced a 5% or greater reduction in baseline body weight. Only 24.2% of patients reached the 14 mg dose. Subgroup analysis revealed that baseline HbA1c > 7%, persistence on drug, not being on a prior therapy with DPP-4 inhibitors, and loosing 5% or more the initial body weight were associated with greater HbA1c reductions.

CONCLUSION

This study supports oral semaglutide as an effective option for T2D treatment, offering improved glucose control and weight management in a real-world setting.

Initiating GLP-1 Therapy in Combination with FreeStyle Libre Provides Greater Benefit Compared with GLP-1 Therapy Alone

Background and Aim: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) therapy provides glycemic benefits to individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the effects of GLP-1 RA therapy in combination with FreeStyle Libre systems (FSL) are unknown. This study aimed to compare changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between people acquiring GLP-1 with FSL (GLP-1+FSL) versus GLP-1 without FSL (GLP-1). Methods: This real-world study used Optum's de-identified Market Clarity Data, a linked electronic health records (EHR)-claims database, and included adults with T2D and HbA1c ≥8% who acquired their first GLP-1 RA medication between 2018 and 2022. GLP-1+FSL subjects acquired their first FSL within ±30 days of their first GLP-1 acquisition. Cohorts were matched 1:5 on baseline insulin therapy, age, sex, baseline HbA1c, and GLP-1 type. Paired changes in HbA1c were compared between unmatched and matched groups at 6 months. Results: The study included 24,724 adults in the unmatched cohort (GLP-1+FSL, n = 478; GLP-1, n = 24,246). The matched cohort included 478 GLP-1+FSL users and 2,390 GLP-1 users: mean age 53.5 ± 11.8 and 53.5 ± 11.3 years, HbA1c 10.25 ± 1.68% and 10.22 ± 1.69%, respectively. HbA1c reduction was greater in the GLP-1+FSL group compared with the GLP-1 group in the unmatched cohort (-2.43% vs. -1.73%, difference 0.70%, P < 0.001, respectively) and in the matched cohort (-2.43% vs. -2.06%, difference 0.37%, P < 0.001). GLP-1+FSL vs. GLP-1 treatment was associated with greater HbA1c reduction in the intensive insulin (-2.32% vs. -1.50%), nonintensive insulin (-2.50% vs. -1.74%), and noninsulin group (-2.46% vs. -1.78%), as well as in patients using semaglutide (-2.73% vs. -1.92%) and dulaglutide (-2.45% vs. -1.71%) GLP-1 RA, all P < 0.001. Conclusions: Adults with suboptimally controlled T2D, initiating GLP-1 RA with FreeStyle Libre, had greater improvement in HbA1c compared with those treated with GLP-1 RA only. These results suggest an additional glycemic benefit of FSL when used with a GLP-1 RA in T2D treatment.

The Basis for Weekly Insulin Therapy: Evolving Evidence With Insulin Icodec and Insulin Efsitora Alfa

Basal insulin continues to be a vital part of therapy for many people with diabetes. First attempts to prolong the duration of insulin formulations were through the development of suspensions that required homogenization prior to injection. These insulins, which required once- or twice-daily injections, introduced wide variations in insulin exposure contributing to unpredictable effects on glycemia. Advances over the last 2 decades have resulted in long-acting, soluble basal insulin analogues with prolonged and less variable pharmacokinetic exposure, improving their efficacy and safety, notably by reducing nocturnal hypoglycemia. However, adherence and persistence with once-daily basal insulin treatment remains low for many reasons including hypoglycemia concerns and treatment burden. A soluble basal insulin with a longer and flatter exposure profile could reduce pharmacodynamic variability, potentially reducing hypoglycemia, have similar efficacy to once-daily basal insulins, simplify dosing regimens, and improve treatment adherence. Insulin icodec (Novo Nordisk) and insulin efsitora alfa (basal insulin Fc [BIF], Eli Lilly and Company) are 2 such insulins designed for once-weekly administration, which have the potential to provide a further advance in basal insulin replacement. Icodec and efsitora phase 2 clinical trials, as well as data from the phase 3 icodec program indicate that once-weekly insulins provide comparable glycemic control to once-daily analogues, with a similar risk of hypoglycemia. This manuscript details the technology used in the development of once-weekly basal insulins. It highlights the clinical rationale and potential benefits of these weekly insulins while also discussing the limitations and challenges these molecules could pose in clinical practice.

The Current and Future Role of Insulin Therapy in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Early initiation of intensive insulin therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling glycemia and possibly preserving beta-cell function. Innovations in insulin formulations and delivery systems continue. However, we have seen an acceleration in the development of new classes of diabetes medications for individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity, such as, for example, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These formulations have been shown to confer significant benefits in achieving good glycemic control with reduced hypoglycemia risk, weight loss, and cardiorenal protection. Therefore, it is reasonable to question whether there is still a role for insulin therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, there are clear limitations inherent to GLP-1 RA therapy, including high rates of suboptimal adherence and treatment discontinuation due to high cost and side effects, which diminish long-term efficacy, and supply issues. In addition, newer formulations have shown improvements in convenience and tolerability, and have been shown to be even more effective when used in conjunction with basal insulin. In this narrative review, we discuss current evidence that supports GLP-1 RA use in combination with insulin therapy and the potential pitfalls of reliance on GLP-1 RAs as a substitute for insulin therapy.

IDegLira for the real-world treatment of type 2 diabetes in Italy. Final results from the REX observational study

AIM

The study was designed to generate real-world evidence on IDegLira in the Italian clinical practice in two groups of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), switching to IDegLira either from a basal only (basal group) or basal-bolus insulin regimen (BB group).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a non-interventional, multicentre, single-cohort, prospective study assessing the long-term glycaemic control in patients with T2D, who switched to IDegLira from a basal insulin ± glucose-lowering medication regimen with or without a bolus insulin component for approximately 18 months, conducted in 28 Italian diabetes centres. The primary endpoint was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels from baseline to 6 months after IDegLira initiation.

RESULTS

The study included 358 patients with a mean age 67.2 years and diabetes duration of 15.7 years. HbA1c significantly decreased from IDegLira start to all study time points in the overall population (basal group -1.19%; BB group -0.60% at the end of observation). Patients achieving HbA1c <7% levels increased from 12.9% (n = 43) to 40.3% (n = 110) at 18 months. Fasting blood glucose and body weight also significantly decreased in both groups, although more in the BB group. Overall, 14.3% of completed patients had an intensification of treatment (mainly in the basal group) and 48.6% had a simplification of treatment (mainly in the BB group).

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to IDegLira in a real-world clinical setting is a valid therapeutic option for patients with T2D with inadequate glycaemic control on basal or BB insulin regimen and/or need to simplify their insulin therapy, with specific reasons and therapeutic goals according to different T2D management trajectories.

Poly-Agonist Pharmacotherapies for Metabolic Diseases: Hopes and New Challenges

The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor-based multi-agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity holds great promise for improving glycaemic control and weight management. Unimolecular dual and triple agonists targeting multiple gut hormone-related pathways are currently in clinical trials, with recent evidence supporting their efficacy. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the biological mechanisms and potential adverse effects associated with these multi-target agents. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1 receptor-based multi-agonists remain somewhat mysterious, and hidden threats may be associated with the use of gut hormone-based polyagonists. In this review, we provide a critical analysis of the benefits and risks associated with the use of these new drugs in the management of obesity and diabetes, while also exploring new potential applications of GLP-1-based pharmacology beyond the field of metabolic disease.