Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

Efficacy and safety profile of sitagliptin, vildagliptin, and metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic and progressive disease that requires long-term management. Thus, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4) need more investigations about their efficacy and safety profile as there is still no evidence of whether DPP-4 inhibitors can be used as a first line option for T2DM drug-naïve patients. In this randomized case-controlled study, 60 drug-naïve T2DM subjects were randomized into three groups, each group comprising 20 subjects. Group 1 was given sitagliptin 100 mg once daily, Group 2 was given vildagliptin 50 mg twice daily, and Group 3 served as the control group and was given metformin 1 g twice daily. Efficacy endpoints included changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hr postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), and the secondary endpoints were related to safety profile were the assessment of liver and kidney function tests and complete blood count (CBC). All treatment regimens had comparable efficacy and safety profiles with the non-significant relative superiority of vildagliptin in lowering HbA1c more than sitagliptin but significant (p = 0.011) regarding FPG reduction, vildagliptin significantly decreased HbA1c by -1.02% (p < 0.001), sitagliptin significantly decreased HbA1c by -0.96% (p < 0.001), and control significantly decreased HbA1c by -0.90% (p < 0.001) compared with baseline. The studied drugs showed moderate efficacy in lowering HbA1c levels with the non-significant relative higher efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 inhibitors and metformin showed favourable effects on improving metabolic syndrome by decreasing blood pressure, serum triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), plus their positive impacts on weight. As a final conclusion, the three medications are highly comparable.

Glucose-lowering action through targeting islet dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: Focus on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition is a glucose-lowering medication for type 2 diabetes. It works through stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, resulting in lowered fasting and postprandial glycemia with low risk of hypoglycemia. As impaired insulin secretion and augmented glucagon secretion are key factors underlying hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, DPP-4 inhibition represents a therapy that targets the underlying mechanisms of the disease. If insufficient in monotherapy, it can preferably be used in combination with metformin, which targets insulin resistance, and also in combination with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition, thiazolidinediones and insulin, which target other mechanisms. In individuals of East Asian origin, islet dysfunction is of particular importance for the development of type 2 diabetes. Consequently, it has been shown in several studies that DPP-4 is efficient in these populations. This mini-review highlights the islet mechanisms of DPP-4 inhibition, islet dysfunction as a key factor for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes and that, consequently, DPP-4 is of particular value in populations where islet dysfunction is central, such as in individuals of East Asian origin.

Impact of sitagliptin combination therapy and hypoglycemia in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a multi-center retrospective observational cohort study

Background

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of developing polypharmacy because of the high frequency of comorbidities. There have been several reports on the hypoglycemic risk of the combination of hypoglycemic agents and other medications. This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic risk of drug-drug interaction between sitagliptin and other oral hypoglycemic agents or antihypertensive agents in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

From January 2010 to March 2012, a total of 3247 patients were recruited and evaluated at outpatient clinics at Juntendo University Hospital, other satellite hospitals, and private clinics. This study was a sub-analysis of the Sitagliptin Registration Type 2 Diabetes-Juntendo Collaborating Project. Participants were limited to those treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, excluding insulin users, to investigate the association of the first hypoglycemic events with oral hypoglycemic agents or other medications within 6 months after starting sitagliptin. The factors related to the first hypoglycemic event were analyzed using Cox regression analysis.

Results

In total, 2956 patients with a mean age of 65.1 ± 11.3 years were included. A total of 46 hypoglycemic events (1.6%) were observed. One patient had severe hypoglycemia followed by emergency transport to the hospital. Sitagliptin was not associated with hypoglycemia, but its combination with sulfonylurea (hazard ratio: 4.42, 95% confidential interval: 1.36–14.42) or β-blocker (hazard ratio, 3.50, 95% confidential interval: 1.54–7.96) was significantly associated with hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

The drug-drug interactions between sitagliptin and sulfonylurea or β-blocker likely increases the hypoglycemic risk in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists should consider potential adverse events from drug-drug interaction in type 2 diabetes with polypharmacy, particularly those who are managed by several doctors or clinics.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Sitagliptin for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Japan: Results of a Multicentre, Open-Label, Observational Post-Marketing Surveillance Study

Introduction

A post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted to confirm the long-term risk–benefit profile of sitagliptin administered to Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) under real-world conditions.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre, open-label PMS collected data from 3326 patients receiving sitagliptin according to the approved indication during the case registration period (July 2010–June 2012; observation period, 3 years). Safety was assessed via collection of data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cardiovascular events whereas efficacy was assessed via changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Results

In 3265 patients evaluated for safety, 270 ADRs occurred in 207 (6.3%) patients overall. Metabolism and nutrition disorders were the most common class of ADRs, occurring in 58 patients overall (53 non-serious, 5 serious) with hypoglycaemia (17 patients, 0.52%) the most common ADR. In patients with eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m² at baseline (mean ± SD, 106.42 ± 18.11 mL/min/1.73 m², n = 584), eGFR declined by 11.83 ± 17.53 mL/min/1.73 m² (P < 0.0001; n = 360) over the observation period whereas eGFR appeared to be relatively maintained in patients with lower baseline eGFR levels. Cardiovascular events were infrequent [occurring in 4 of 84 (4.76%) patients at high cardiovascular risk] with no distinct features in this Japanese population and the cumulative incidence [8.42% (3.12–21.70) at 36 months; n = 32] was similar to that noted in previous studies involving sitagliptin. In patients evaluated for efficacy, the overall change in HbA1c from baseline to final evaluation was mean ± SD − 0.68 ± 1.34% (P < 0.0001, n = 2070). Reductions in HbA1c tended to be greater in younger patients and patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c values at the start of administration.

Conclusion

Long-term sitagliptin administration in the routine clinical practice setting is associated with good efficacy, including as monotherapy, with no additional safety concerns.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s12325-020-01293-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors associated with the glucose-lowering efficacy of sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Pooled analysis of Japanese clinical trials

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To explore the factors associated with the glucose-lowering efficacy of sitagliptin treatment in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a post-hoc analysis of pooled data from seven sitagliptin phase II and III clinical studies carried out in Japan. All studies were double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and of 12-week duration. The analysis population consisted of 1,075 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. In two of the trials, sitagliptin 50 mg and/or 100 mg daily were used as monotherapy; in five others, sitagliptin 50 mg daily was used as add-on treatment to ongoing pioglitazone, glimepiride, metformin, voglibose or glinides. Efficacy (reduction in hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) was evaluated in 12 sets of subgroups defined by demographic, glycemic, pancreatic β-cell function and insulin resistance parameters. An analysis of covariance model was used to evaluate the interaction between each parameter and efficacy.

RESULTS

Sitagliptin consistently provided a clinically meaningful reduction in HbA1c relative to placebo across all subgroups. Within subgroups, a greater absolute HbA1c reduction was associated with higher baseline HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and 2-h post-meal glucose. Lower β-cell function, represented by homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function and insulinogenic index, was also associated with greater HbA1c reduction. In contrast, age, sex, body mass index, duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance-related parameters did not interact with HbA1c changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sitagliptin treatment was associated with clinically meaningful improvement in glycemic control in all subgroups of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus that were evaluated. Higher baseline glycemic status and lower baseline β-cell function were identified as factors associated with greater HbA1c reduction after sitagliptin treatment.

Real-World Data on the Incidence of Macrovascular Complications in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The Sitagliptin Registration Type 2 Diabetes-Juntendo Collaborating Project

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes is associated with vascular complications that deteriorate the quality of life and decrease the life expectancy of individuals. We previously reported the efficacy of sitagliptin for glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes in the Sitagliptin Registration Type 2 Diabetes-Juntendo Collaborating Project (SPIRITS-J). Through the results of the SPIRITS-J study, we expected that optimal comprehensive management of type 2 diabetes according to current clinical practice guidelines in addition to achieving individualized glycemic goals would reduce macrovascular complications and all-cause mortality in Japan. The aim of this study was to evaluate this hypothesis.

METHODS

We investigated the clinical outcomes prospectively in the extended SPIRITS-J study and compared these to previous Japanese cohort studies in the era before widespread use of guidelines. The primary clinical outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Mean duration of follow-up was 3.5 ± 1.3 years. The crude incidence of the primary outcome per 1000 person-years was 13.9 (non-fatal MI 1.44, non-fatal stroke 4.22, all-cause mortality 8.79 per 1000 person-years, respectively). It is noteworthy that the incidence of MI in the SPIRITS-J study was very much lower than that in a previous Japanese cohort study. In multivariate analysis, both the history of coronary artery disease and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were independently associated with incidence of primary clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION

The extended SPIRITS-J study demonstrated that optimal comprehensive management in patients with type 2 diabetes according to the recent practice guidelines has succeeded in preventing macrovascular complications in Japan. This study suggests that more intensive LDL-C-lowering therapy is important for further prevention of macrovascular complications even in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (UMIN 000004121).

The Effect of Linagliptin versus Metformin Treatment-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION

There have been no studies directly comparing the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors with that of metformin on treatment-related quality of life (QOL) when used as first-line therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, comparative study. Forty-four participants who failed to achieve target glycemic control with diet and exercise therapy were randomly allocated to receive linagliptin or metformin therapy. We compared treatment-related QOL among the two groups using the Oral Hypoglycemic Agent Questionnaire, version 2 (OHA-Q version 2) and the self-administered Diabetes Therapy-Related QOL (DTR-QOL) questionnaire.

RESULTS

After randomization, 21 patients in the linagliptin group and 22 patients in the metformin treatment group were included in the full analysis set. Biochemical parameters, incidence of adverse effects, and rate of adherence to medication were comparable between the two groups. Over the 24-week treatment period, no significant differences in overall OHA-Q scores between the groups were observed, although the subscale 1 (treatment convenience) score was significantly higher in the linagliptin group than in the metformin group. The overall DTR-QOL score did not differ between the two groups; however, the DTR-QOL scores significantly improved after 24 weeks of linagliptin treatment, but not after metformin treatment.

CONCLUSION

We did not find significantly better treatment-related QOL with linagliptin among Japanese patients with T2DM. In terms of treatment convenience, our data showed that linagliptin was superior to metformin.

FUNDING

This study was financially supported by Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd. and Eli Lilly and Company. The journal's article processing fees were covered by a research fund from Juntendo University.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000022953.

Effects of linagliptin versus voglibose on treatment-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: sub-analysis of the L-STEP study

Treatment-related quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect of diabetes management. However, no studies have compared the influence of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors versus alpha-glucosidase inhibitors on treatment-related QOL. This prespecified sub-analysis of the Linagliptin Study of Effects on Postprandial blood glucose (L-STEP) compared the effects of linagliptin (5 mg once daily) and voglibose (0.2 mg/meal thrice daily) on treatment-related QOL in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) inadequately controlled with diet and exercise therapy. Among 366 subjects in the original study, 182 in the linagliptin group and 173 in the voglibose group were included in this analysis. The outcome of this study was change in QOL as assessed by the Diabetes Therapy-Related Quality of Life 17 (DTR-QOL17) questionnaire from baseline to week 12. Compared with baseline data, total DTR-QOL17 scores were significantly higher after 12 weeks of linagliptin and voglibose treatment. The change in the total DTR-QOL17 score and the score of one domain, burden on social activities and daily activities, was significantly greater in the linagliptin group than in the voglibose group. In addition, only linagliptin treatment was identified as a factor associated with an increased total DTR-QOL17 score. Linagliptin is superior to voglibose in terms of improving treatment-related QOL in Japanese patients with T2DM.

Study Protocol for the Initial Choice of DPP-4 Inhibitor in Japanese Patients with Type 2 diabetes Mellitus: Effect of Linagliptin on QOL (INTEL-QOL) Trial

INTRODUCTION

Consideration of treatment-related quality of life (QOL) is important in diabetes management. However, no studies have compared the influence of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors versus metformin on treatment-related QOL when used as first-line therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

This study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, comparative study. Between June 2016 and December 2017, 44 participants who failed to achieve glycemic control despite diet and exercise therapy were recruited at 14 clinics and randomly allocated to linagliptin or metformin therapy. Treatment-related QOL was assessed with the Oral Hypoglycemic Agent Questionnaire, version 2 (OHA-Q ver. 2) and the self-administered Diabetes Therapy-Related QOL (DTR-QOL) questionnaire. The primary study outcome is the difference in total OHA-Q ver. 2 score between the two treatment groups at the end of the study. The secondary outcomes include differences in the scores for each OHA-Q ver. 2 subscale between the two treatment groups at the end of the study, change in total DTR-QOL score and for each domain from baseline to the end of treatment, changes in glycemic control, and adverse events.

PLANNED OUTCOME

The present study is designed to assess the effects of linagliptin on the treatment-related QOL. Results will be available in the near future. Study findings are expected to provide useful information on how to maintain or improve QOL in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin.

FUNDING

Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd. and Eli Lilly and Company.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000022953.

The Glucose-lowering Efficacy of Sitagliptin in Obese Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are the most frequently prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents in Japan. Although a relationship between the efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors and the body mass index (BMI) has been reported, this relationship is controversial. We investigated whether the BMI value affects the glucose-lowering efficacy of sitagliptin in obese Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods One hundred sixty-two outpatients with inadequate glycemic control were divided into four groups based on their baseline BMI values. They were then treated with sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) for 3 months and followed-up for 12 months. Results Sitagliptin significantly reduced the hemoglobin A1c level (HbA1c: -0.71±0.55%) after 3 months, and continued to reduce the HbA1c level until 12 months. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of sitagliptin among the four BMI groups. A multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the factors contributing to the change in the HbA1c level were the baseline level of HbA1c and the homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β). In terms of the relationship between the baseline BMI value and the efficacy of sitagliptin treatment, the number of patients who responded to sitagliptin treatment after 3 months was lowest in the group of patients with the highest BMI values. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the baseline HOMA-β function and HbA1c level and a baseline BMI value of ≥30 kg/m² significantly contributed to the response to sitagliptin treatment. Conclusion The results indicated that sitagliptin treatment was effective in controlling glucose metabolism disorder in obese Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the efficacy of sitagliptin treatment might be attenuated in severely obese patients, such as those with a BMI value of ≥30 kg/m².

Prediction of the effect on antihyperglycaemic action of sitagliptin by plasma active form glucagon-like peptide-1

AIM: To investigate whether active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a prediction Factor of Effect of sitagliptin on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (GLP-1 FEST:UMIN000010645).

METHODS: Seventy-six patients with type 2 diabetes, who had insufficient glycemic control [Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 7%] in spite of treatment with metformin and/or sulfonylurea, were included in the investigation. Patients were divided into three groups by tertiles of fasting plasma active GLP-1 level, before the administration of 50 mg sitagliptin.

RESULTS: At baseline, body mass index, serum UA, insulin and HOMA-IR were higher in the high active GLP-1 group than in the other two groups. The high active GLP-1 group did not show any decline of HbA1c (7.6% ± 1.4% to 7.5% ± 1.5%), whereas the middle and low groups indicated significant decline of HbA1c (7.4 ± 0.7 to 6.8 ± 0.6 and 7.4 ± 1.2 to 6.9 ± 1.3, respectively) during six months. Only the low and middle groups showed a significant increment of active GLP-1, C-peptide level, a decreased log and proinsulin/insulin ratio after administration. In logistic analysis, the low or middle group is a significant explanatory variable for an HbA1c decrease of ≥ 0.5%, and its odds ratio is 4.5 (1.40-17.6) (P = 0.01) against the high active GLP-1 group. This remains independent when adjusted for HbA1c level before administration, patients’ medical history, medications, insulin secretion and insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION: Plasma fasting active GLP-1 is an independent predictive marker for the efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin.