Clinical use of the co-formulation of insulin degludec and insulin aspart

Efficacy and Safety of Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart (IDegAsp) in Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disease requiring tight glycemic control of basal and postprandial glucose levels. Treatment intensification using separate basal and bolus injections increased the number of injections and reduced cost-effectivity, leading to decreased compliance and failure of glycemic control. Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart (IDegAsp), a novel premix of basal and bolus insulin, is one of the potential treatments for reducing the number of injections. However, its efficacy and safety have not been reviewed clearly. Therefore, this systematic review aims to compare the efficacy and safety of IDegAsp with standard basal and basal plus bolus insulin regimens.

A systematic review of four databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Proquest) was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Search results were screened by eligibility criteria and critically appraised by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) tool and the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Meta-Analysis was done using Review Manager to obtain cumulative outcomes from hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) changes, hypoglycemia incidents, and weight gain from all studies.

Out of 132 search results, 10 studies were reviewed. IDegAsp once-daily administration was proven beneficial in reducing HbA1c levels and nocturnal hypoglycemia incidences, while IDegAsp twice-daily administration was proven beneficial in lowering hypoglycemia incidence and nocturnal hypoglycemia incidence. IDegAsp yielded better glycemic index results and lowered hypoglycemic incidents in the meta-analysis.

Thus, it is concluded that IDegAsp once daily with stepwise titration on the largest meal of the day achieved most benefits with minimal risks.

Biosimilar Insulin Aspart Premix SAR341402 Mix 70/30 Versus Originator Insulin Aspart Mix 70/30 (NovoMix 30) in People with Diabetes: A 26-Week, Randomized, Open-Label Trial (GEMELLI M)

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of biosimilar insulin aspart premix SAR341402 Mix 70/30 (SARAsp-Mix) with European-approved insulin aspart mix 70/30 - NovoMix® 30 (NN-Mix) in people with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

This 26-week, open-label, phase 3 trial enrolled 402 people with T1D (n = 105) or T2D (n = 297) previously treated with premix insulin, who were randomized (1:1) to SARAsp-Mix (n = 204) or NN-Mix (n = 198).

RESULTS

After 26 weeks, the least squares (LS) mean [median] change in HbA1c from baseline was similar in both treatment groups (SARAsp-Mix - 0.55% [- 0.60%]; NN-Mix - 0.64% [- 0.60%]). The LS mean difference for SARAsp-Mix versus NN-Mix was 0.08%, with the upper bound of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (- 0.139 to 0.303) slightly above the prespecified noninferiority margin of 0.3%. Noninferiority of SARAsp-Mix over NN-Mix was not demonstrated in the primary intent-to-treat analysis, primarily because of one extreme outlying value impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the SARAsp-Mix group. Noninferiority was achieved in all secondary analyses, including prespecified per-protocol supportive and COVID-19 sensitivity analyses, as well as post hoc sensitivity analyses. Other efficacy endpoints, insulin dosages, anti-insulin aspart antibody response, hypoglycemia, and adverse events were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The totality of evidence indicates that SARAsp-Mix provides effective glycemic control with a similar safety and immunogenicity profile to NN-Mix in people with diabetes treated for 26 weeks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT number 2017-000092-84.

A single-dose euglycaemic clamp study in two cohorts to compare the exposure of SAR341402 (insulin aspart) Mix 70/30 with US- and European-approved versions of insulin aspart Mix 70/30 and SAR341402 rapid-acting solution in subjects with type 1 diabetes

AIM

To compare the pharmacokinetic exposure of SAR341402 Mix 70/30 (SAR_Asp -Mix) with US- and European (EU)-approved versions of insulin aspart Mix 70/30 (NovoLog Mix 70/30 [NN-Mix-US]/NovoMix 30 [NN-Mix-EU]) and SAR341402 insulin aspart solution (SAR-Asp) in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial in two cohorts. Fifty-two subjects received a single subcutaneous 0.3 U/kg dose of each treatment and underwent a euglycaemic clamp procedure lasting for a maximum of 24 hours after dosing. In cohort 1, subjects (N = 36) were exposed once each to SAR_Asp -Mix, NN-Mix-US and NN-Mix-EU. In cohort 2, subjects (N = 16) were exposed once each to SAR_Asp -Mix and SAR-Asp.

RESULTS

Of the 52 subjects randomized, 48 completed all treatment periods. In cohort 1, the extent of exposure (total and maximum concentration) was similar among the three treatments, with the 90% confidence intervals for pairwise treatment ratios meeting the predefined acceptance range (0.80 to 1.25). In cohort 2, statistically significant differences (P < .001) in early (0-4 hours) and intermediate (4-12 hours) exposure to SAR_Asp -Mix compared with SAR-Asp were observed, all exceeding a 20% difference. Pharmacodynamic results were in support of the pharmacokinetic findings for both cohorts. All treatments were well tolerated and there were no relevant differences in safety variables among treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

SAR_Asp -Mix showed similar pharmacokinetic exposure to commercially available insulin aspart Mix 70/30 formulations, and a distinct exposure profile compared with SAR-Asp.

Use of Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Expert Panel Recommendations on Appropriate Practice Patterns

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed-ratio co-formulation of insulin degludec (IDeg), which provides long-lasting basal insulin coverage, and insulin aspart (IAsp), which targets post-prandial glucose. This expert panel aimed to provide a practical and implementable guidance document to assist clinicians in prescribing IDegAsp in the diabetes management with respect to different patient populations including children and adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) as well as pregnant, elderly and hospitalized patients and varying practice patterns (insulin-naive, insulin-treated, switching from basal, basal bolus and premix regimens). The experts recommended that IDegAsp can be used in insulin-naive T2D patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%) despite optimal oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) as well as in insulin-treated T2D patients by switching from basal insulin, basal-bolus therapy or premixed insulins in relation to lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia, fewer injections and lower intraday glycemic variability, respectively. The experts considered the use of IDegAsp in children with T2D as a basal bolus alternative rather than as an alternative to basal insulin after metformin failure, use of IDegAsp in adult T1D patients as a simplified basal bolus regimen with lesser nocturnal hypoglycemia, fewer injections and better fasting plasma glucose control and in children with T1D as an alternative insulin regimen with fewer injection to increase treatment adherence. The proposed expert opinion provides practical information on use of IDegAsp in different patient populations and practice patterns to assist clinicians, which seems to compensate the need for easily implementable guidance on this novel insulin regimen.

Practical use of insulin degludec/insulin aspart in a multinational setting: beyond the guidelines

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed-ratio co-formulation of insulin degludec, which provides long-lasting basal insulin coverage, and insulin aspart, which targets postprandial glycaemia. This review provides expert opinion on the practical clinical use of IDegAsp, including: dose timings relative to meals, when and how to intensify treatment from once-daily (OD) to twice-daily (BID) dose adjustments, and use in special populations (including hospitalized patients). IDegAsp could be considered as one among the choices for initiating insulin treatment, preferential to starting on basal insulin alone, particularly for people with severe hyperglycaemia and/or when postprandial hyperglycaemia is a major concern. The recommended starting dose of IDegAsp is 10 units with the most carbohydrate-rich meal(s), followed by individualized dose adjustments. Insulin doses should be titrated once weekly in two-unit steps, guided by individualized fasting plasma glucose targets and based on patient goals, preferences and hypoglycaemia risk. Options for intensification from IDegAsp OD are discussed, which should be guided by HbA1c, prandial glucose levels, meal patterns and patient preferences. Recommendations for switching to IDegAsp from basal insulin, premixed insulins OD/BID, and basal-plus/basal-bolus regimens are discussed. IDegAsp can be co-administered with other antihyperglycaemic drugs; however, sulphonylureas frequently need to be discontinued or the dose reduced, and the IDegAsp dose may need to be decreased when sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are added. Considerations around the initiation or continuation of IDegAsp in hospitalized individuals are discussed, as well as in those undergoing medical procedures.

The Clinical Role of Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart in Type 2 Diabetes: An Empirical Perspective from Experience in Australia

Treatment intensification in people with type 2 diabetes following failure of basal insulin commonly involves the addition of a rapid-acting insulin analogue (basal plus one or more prandial doses; multiple daily injections) or by a switch to premixed insulin. Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp), comprising rapid-acting insulin aspart and ultra-long-acting insulin degludec in solution, enables both fasting and post-prandial glucose control, with some advantages over other treatment intensification options. These include straightforward dose titration, flexibility in dose timing, low injection burden, simplicity of switching and a lower risk of hypoglycaemia. In Australia, where insulin degludec on its own is not available, IDegAsp enables patients to still benefit from its ultra-long-acting properties. This review aims to provide guidance on where and how to use IDegAsp. Specifically, guidance is included on the initiation of IDegAsp in insulin-naïve patients, treatment intensification from basal insulin, switching from premixed or basal-bolus insulin to IDegAsp, up-titration from once- to twice-daily IDegAsp and the use of IDegAsp in special populations or situations.

Outcomes of transition from premixed and intensive insulin therapies to insulin aspart/degludec co-formulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a real-world experience

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transition from premixed and intensive insulin to twice-daily insulin degludec/aspart (IDegAsp) co-formulation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this 12-week study, patients receiving twice-daily premixed insulin therapy in group 1 (n = 55) were switched to twice-daily IDegAsp. In group 2 (n = 60), patients on intensive insulin therapy were switched to IDegAsp injected twice a day. Inter- and intragroup comparisons were made.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients were included in the study. There was a significant improvement in glycaemic control, median daily total insulin dose, body mass, body mass index, and hypoglycaemic events in group 1 and group 2 with the switch to IDegAsp (p < 0.05). The decrease in median daily total insulin dose requirement in group 2 was higher than that of group 1 (p = 0.001). There was no difference between groups in terms of other parameters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The current analysis indicates that IDegAsp treatment improves outcomes, with the most notable differences observed in daily total insulin requirement, body mass, and hypoglycaemia.

Basal insulin therapy: Unmet medical needs in Asia and the new insulin glargine in diabetes treatment

Diabetes remains a global epidemic and a tremendous health challenge, especially in the Asian population. Dramatic increases in the prevalence of diabetes across different countries or areas in Asia have been reported in recent epidemiological studies. Although clinical guidelines have strengthened appropriate antihyperglycemic medications and lifestyle modifications for optimal diabetes management, inadequate glycemic control still occurs in many patients with an increased risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications. Insulin administration is the main therapy for diabetes in response to the inability to secrete insulin, and is recommended in current guidelines to treat patients with type 2 diabetes after failure of oral antidiabetic drugs. Clinical studies have shown that long-acting insulin analogs improve basal glycemic control with reduced risk of hypoglycemia. In the present review, we discuss previous challenges with basal insulin therapy in Asia, the pharmacological development of insulin analogs to overcome the unmet medical needs and recent clinical studies of the new ultra-long-acting insulin analog, insulin glargine U300. Furthermore, relevant findings of current real-world evidence are also included for the comparison of the efficacy and safety of different insulin formulations. Based on the accumulating evidence showing a low incidence of hypoglycemia and technical benefits of dose titration, treatment with glargine U300 can be a promising strategy for Asian diabetes patients to achieve glycemic targets with favorable safety.

Efficacy and Safety of IDegAsp Versus BIAsp 30, Both Twice Daily, in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Post Hoc Analysis of Two Phase 3 Randomized Controlled BOOST Trials

INTRODUCTION

The majority of elderly patients (≥ 65 years of age) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will eventually require insulin therapy, but they are particularly vulnerable to hypoglycemia and challenging to treat. Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a novel co-formulation of 70% insulin degludec and 30% insulin aspart administered in a single injection, either once or twice daily with main meals.

METHODS

A combined analysis of the phase 3 BOOST INTENSIFY PREMIX I (NCT01009580) and BOOST INTENSIFY ALL (NCT01059812) trials has previously reported lower rates of hypoglycemia during the maintenance period in patients with T2DM treated with IDegAsp twice daily (BID) versus biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) BID. This post hoc analysis examined the safety and efficacy of IDegAsp versus BIAsp 30 in elderly patients from the global population of these two trials, and also from the Japanese cohort of BOOST INTENSIFY ALL.

RESULTS

Change in HbA_1c was similar for IDegAsp versus BIAsp 30 (p > 0.5). Compared with BIAsp 30, IDegAsp resulted in significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (p  < 0.0001), numerically lower rates of overall and nocturnal hypoglycemia (global estimated rate ratios: 0.92 [0.67; 1.26]_{95% confidence interval [CI]}, p  = 0.5980 and 0.67 [0.39; 1.18]_{95% CI}, p  = 0.1676, respectively), and a significantly lower total daily insulin dose at end of trial (global estimated treatment difference 0.79 [0.73; 0.87]_{95% CI}, p  < 0.0001) in elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

The results described here are consistent with those of the overall trial populations, demonstrating that IDegAsp BID is efficacious in elderly patients and suggesting that there is no need for special safety precautions.

FUNDING

Novo Nordisk.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers, NCT01009580 and NCT01059812. Plain language summary available for this article.

Identification of barriers to insulin therapy and approaches to overcoming them

Poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global problem despite the availability of numerous glucose-lowering therapies and clear guidelines for T2D management. Tackling clinical or therapeutic inertia, where the person with diabetes and/or their healthcare providers do not intensify treatment regimens despite this being appropriate, is key to improving patients' long-term outcomes. This gap between best practice and current level of care is most pronounced when considering insulin regimens, with studies showing that insulin initiation/intensification is frequently and inappropriately delayed for several years. Patient- and physician-related factors both contribute to this resistance at the stages of insulin initiation, titration and intensification, impeding achievement of optimal glycaemic control. The present review evaluates the evidence and reasons for this delay, together with available methods for facilitation of insulin initiation or intensification.

Clinical considerations for use of insulin degludec/insulin aspart in Japanese patients

INTRODUCTION

Co-formulation of basal and bolus insulin components provides a simpler regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes than separate basal-bolus treatment. However, conventional premixed insulin products include a suboptimal protaminated basal component that requires resuspension prior to injection. Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is the first soluble co-formulation of a basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action (IDeg) and a rapid-acting bolus insulin (IAsp) in a single injection.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors summarize findings from pre-clinical studies and the clinical trial program and provide guidance for the initiating and switching of IDegAsp in different patient populations. Pharmacodynamic analyses have revealed a rapid onset of action and distinct peak (IAsp), followed by a separate, flat and stable basal effect (IDeg component). Phase 3 studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of IDegAsp, with greater glycemic improvements than basal-only therapy in international and Japanese type 2 diabetes populations. IDegAsp also results in reduced insulin dose requirements and lower rates of hypoglycemia than premixed insulin.

EXPERT OPINION

IDegAsp provides a simple and effective insulin regimen in appropriately selected Japanese patients, with the flexibility to suit individual needs. The benefits of IDegAsp over conventional insulin regimens might help tackle clinical inertia with insulin intensification.