Insulin Glargine: a review 8 years after its introduction

Retrospective Analysis of Once-Daily Versus Twice-Daily Insulin Glargine Dosing in Noncritically Ill Individuals

Background

Insulin is the treatment of choice for diabetes care in the hospital. There is some debate regarding the efficacy and safety of once-daily versus twice-daily insulin glargine in the hospital, particularly in the critically ill population.

Objective

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine administered as a once-daily versus twice-daily regimen in the noncritically ill population.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and on a regimen of either once-daily or twice-daily insulin glargine for ≥72 hours during the specified time frame. The primary end point was a comparison of the number of days with all blood glucose measurements within the range of 70-180 mg/dL throughout a 24-hour period. Secondary end points included the number of hyperglycemic (>180 mg/dL) and hypoglycemic (<70 mg/dL) events that occurred in each study group.

Results

Group 1 included 101 individuals who received once-daily dosing, and group 2 included 103 individuals who received twice-daily dosing. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except for a higher BMI at admission (P = 0.01) and a higher pre-admission A1C (P = 0.02) in group 2. No differences were found for the primary end point (P = 0.5) or for hypoglycemic (P = 0.6) or hyperglycemic (P = 0.7) events.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in efficacy or safety between once-daily and twice-daily insulin glargine in the noncritically ill population. A larger prospective study could confirm these results.

Amyloid Fibrillation of Insulin: Amelioration Strategies and Implications for Translation

Insulin is a therapeutically relevant molecule with use in treating diabetes patients. Unfortunately, it undergoes a range of untoward and often unpredictable physical transformations due to alterations in its biochemical environment, including pH, ionic strength, temperature, agitation, and exposure to hydrophobic surfaces. The transformations are prevalent in its physiologically active monomeric form, while the zinc cation-coordinated hexamer, although physiologically inactive, is stable and less susceptible to fibrillation. The resultant molecular reconfiguration, including unfolding, misfolding, and hydrophobic interactions, often results in agglomeration, amyloid fibrillogenesis, and precipitation. As a result, a part of the dose is lost, causing a compromised therapeutic efficacy. Besides, the amyloid fibrils form insoluble deposits, trigger immunologic reactions, and harbor cytotoxic potential. The physical transformations also hold back a successful translation of non-parenteral insulin formulations, in addition to challenges related to encapsulation, chemical modification, purification, storage, and dosing. This review revisits the mechanisms and challenges that drive such physical transformations in insulin, with an emphasis on the observed amyloid fibrillation, and presents a critique of the current amelioration strategies before prioritizing some future research objectives.

A Comprehensive Review of the Evolution of Insulin Development and Its Delivery Method

The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the momentous discovery of insulin. Through years of research and discovery, insulin has evolved from poorly defined crude extracts of animal pancreas to recombinant human insulin and analogues that can be prescribed and administered with high accuracy and efficacy. However, there are still many challenges ahead in clinical settings, particularly with respect to maintaining optimal glycemic control whilst minimizing the treatment-related side effects of hypoglycemia and weight gain. In this review, the chronology of the development of rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin analogues, as well as mixtures and concentrated formulations that offer the potential to meet this challenge, are summarized. In addition, we also summarize the latest advancements in insulin delivery methods, along with advancement to clinical trials. This review provides insights on the development of insulin treatment for diabetes mellitus that may be useful for clinicians in meeting the needs of their individual patients. However, it is important to note that as of now, none of the new technologies mentioned have superseded the existing method of subcutaneous administration of insulin.

Insulins for the long term management of diabetes mellitus in dogs: a review

The year 2021 marked the centenary of the isolation of a therapeutic form of insulin and its successful use in dogs. This was a landmark moment that subsequently and rapidly led to the commercial manufacture of insulin for use in humans. The impact of insulin was almost miraculous as those destined to die from their diabetes mellitus returned to life. Over the past 100 years, insulin formulations have been modified to attempt to provide a predictable and prolonged duration of action while avoiding the development of hypoglycaemia. This has led to an ever-growing variety of insulin types in human medicine, many of which have subsequently been used in dogs. The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of available insulin types and their application to the chronic management of canine diabetes mellitus.

Needle-free jet injection of insulin glargine improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a study based on the flash glucose monitoring system

Background: To investigate the effects of insulin glargine injection given with a QS-P jet injector on the glucose profile using a professional mode flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Research design and methods: In this randomized, controlled, cross-sectional study, 66 patients with T2DM who received insulin glargine (12-18 IU/day) injection were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into group A (jet injector before insulin pen) and group B (insulin pen before jet injector). Each subject injected insulin daily before breakfast. We analyzed the changes in the glucose profile using a professional mode FGM system.Results: Treatment with a jet injector led to significantly lower 24-h mean glucose, maximum blood glucose, area under the curve (AUC) > 10.0 mmol/L, time above range and increased AUC < 3.9 mmol/L and time below range than those when using an insulin pen. There was no difference in glycemic variability between the two groups. We observed that patients using a jet injector had significantly lower mean glucose between 12:00 to 22:00.Conclusions: Needle-free jet injection of insulin glargine was more effective than use of an insulin pen for good glycemic control in patients with T2DM.Clinical trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT04093284.

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.

Switching From Pre-mixed Insulin to Regimens with Insulin Glargine in Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective, Observational Study of Data From Adriatic Countries

INTRODUCTION

Long-acting insulin analogs such as insulin glargine may offer improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to conventional insulin therapies. The objective of this study was to determine whether switching to insulin glargine had beneficial effects on glycemic control, weight gain, and incidence of hypoglycemia in patients with suboptimally managed T2D.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was performed on 1041 patients who were suboptimally controlled on pre-mixed insulin therapy and were switched to an insulin glargine regimen. Clinical markers of glycemic control including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7% (< 53 mmol/mol) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels ranging from 3.9 to 7.2 mmol/L were used for the primary outcome measures. Follow-up assessment of primary outcomes, weight gain, incidence of hypoglycemia, and patient satisfaction with the therapy was performed after three and six months of treatment.

RESULTS

Target therapeutic values of HbA1c were achieved in 9.3% and 30.2% of patients, whereas FBG target values were achieved in 25.9% and 52.3% of patients after the third and sixth month of therapy, respectively. Both the HbA1c and FBG targets were reached in 7% and 25.9% of patients at the third and sixth month of therapy, respectively. Switching to insulin glargine decreased the incidence of hypoglycemia from 49.5% to 5.2% after six months of therapy; this decrease was associated with weight loss and was well perceived by the patients.

CONCLUSION

Insulin glargine-based regimens are beneficial and safe therapeutic alternatives for T2D patients inadequately controlled with pre-mixed insulin.

FUNDING

Sanofi-Aventis Croatia d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia.

A comparison of clinical efficacy and economic value in Basalin- and Lantus-treated patients with type 2 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring system

AIM

To determine the clinical non-inferiority of recombinant glargine-Basalin vs glargine-Lantus, in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS).

METHODS

One hundred patients with T2DM were recruited. They were either regularly taking Basalin (Basalin group) or Lantus (Lantus group) (n = 50 each). CGMS was employed to real-time monitor blood glucose profile for 4 days (from day 1 to day 5). To exclude the effect of patient background, the study design was to have a blinded crossover from glargine-Basalin to glargine-Lantus on day 3, and vice versa. 24-hour mean blood glucose (24hMBG), 24-hour standard deviation of blood glucose (24hSDBG), 24-hour mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (24hMAGE), and number of glycemic excursion (NGE) every 24 h (24hNGE) were calculated for each glargine from 100 patients.

RESULTS

No significant difference of 24hMBG, 24hSDBG, 24hMAGE, and 24hNGE (p > 0.05 for all) was found between Basalin and Lantus treatments. The glucose area under the curve and time when blood glucose was below 3.9 mmol/L, between 3.9 and 10.0 mmol/L, or above 10.0 mmol/L were similar between Basalin and Lantus treatment. The frequency of hypoglycemic episodes was also similar. However, the mean cost of Basalin was only 72% of Lantus's in one treatment course.

CONCLUSION

Glargine-Basalin is non-inferior in clinical efficacy compared to glargine-Lantus. In view of the large difference in the cost of glargine-Basalin, it would be much more cost-effective for our patients.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes in the presence of renal impairment: what we should know about newer therapies

Worldwide, an estimated 200 million people have chronic kidney disease (CKD), the most common causes of which include hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes. Importantly, ~40% of patients with diabetes develop CKD, yet evidence from major multicenter randomized controlled trials shows that intensive blood glucose control through pharmacological intervention can reduce the incidence and progression of CKD. Standard therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes include metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, and insulin. While these drugs have an important role in the management of type 2 diabetes, only the thiazolidinedione pioglitazone can be used across the spectrum of CKD (stages 2–5) and without dose adjustment; there are contraindications and dose adjustments required for the remaining standard therapies. Newer therapies, particularly dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, are increasingly being used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes; however, a major consideration is whether these newer therapies can also be used safely and effectively across the spectrum of renal impairment. Notably, reductions in albuminuria, a marker of CKD, are observed with many of the drug classes. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors can be used in all stages of renal impairment, with appropriate dose reduction, with the exception of linagliptin, which can be used without dose adjustment. No dose adjustment is required for liraglutide, albiglutide, and dulaglutide in CKD stages 2 and 3, although all glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are currently contraindicated in stages 4 and 5 CKD. At stage 3 CKD or greater, the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, and empagliflozin) either require dose adjustment or are contraindicated. Ongoing trials, such as CARMELINA, MARLINA, CREDENCE, and CANVAS-R, will help determine the position of these new therapy classes and if they have renoprotective effects in patients with CKD.

Efficacy and Acceptability of Glycemic Control of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists among Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Objective

To synthesize current evidence of the impact of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on hypoglycemia, treatment discontinuation and glycemic level in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Data Sources

Literature search (Medline, Embase, the Cochrane library), website of clinical trial, bibliographies of published systematic reviews.

Eligibility Criteria

Randomized controlled trials with available data comparing GLP-1 RAs with placebo or traditional anti-diabetic drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Data Synthesis

Traditional pairwise meta-analyses within DerSimonian-Laird random effects model and network meta-analysis within a Bayesian framework were performed to calculate odds ratios for the incidence of hypoglycemia, treatment discontinuation, HbA1c<7.0% and HbA1c<6.5%. Ranking probabilities for all treatments were estimated to obtain a treatment hierarchy using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and mean ranks.

Results

78 trials with 13 treatments were included. Overall, all GLP-1 RAs except for albiglutide increased the risk of hypoglycemia when compared to placebo. Reduction in the incidence of hypoglycemia was found for all GLP-1 RAs versus insulin (except for dulaglutide) and sulphonylureas. For the incidence of treatment discontinuation, increase was found for exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide and taspoglutide versus placebo, insulin and sitagliptin. For glycemic level, decrease was found for all GLP-1 RAs versus placebo. Dulaglutide, exenatide long-acting release (exe_lar), liraglutide and taspoglutide had significant lowering effect when compared with sitagliptin (HbA1c<7.0%) and insulin (HbA1c<6.5%). Finally, according to SUCRAs, placebo, thiazolidinediones and albiglutide had the best decrease effect on hypoglycemia; sulphanylureas, sitagliptin and insulin decrease the incidence of treatment discontinuation most; exe_lar and dulaglutide had the highest impact on glycemic level among 13 treatments.

Conclusions

Among 13 treatments, GLP-1 RAs had a significant reduction with glycemic level but a slight increase effect on hypoglycemia and treatment discontinuation. While albiglutide had the best decrease effect on hypoglycemia and treatment discontinuation among all GLP-1 RAs. However, further evidence is necessary for more conclusive inferences on mechanisms underlying the rise in hypoglycemia.

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

Insulin glargine 100 units/ml (Gla-100) has become a standard of care in diabetes treatment over the past decade, providing 24-h basal insulin coverage after once-daily subcutaneous injection for many people with diabetes, with a well-established efficacy and safety profile. New insulin glargine 300 units/ml (Gla-300) is a basal insulin that provides the same number of units as Gla-100 in a third of the volume. Compared with Gla-100, Gla-300 has shown more constant and prolonged pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles. This review summarizes the findings from the EDITION series of clinical trials that investigated Gla-300 in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Overall, Gla-300 has been shown to achieve similar glycaemic control with less, or similar, nocturnal hypoglycaemia compared with Gla-100, and a trend towards lower hypoglycaemia at any time of day. The EDITION series of clinical trials also provides some evidence for less weight gain with Gla-300 than with Gla-100. In addition, the PK/PD profiles of Gla-300 may allow more flexibility in the timing of doses, improving convenience; thus, Gla-300 could offer several positive features for individuals with diabetes requiring basal insulin therapy.

Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on blood pressure, heart rate and hypertension among patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

AIMS

To evaluate current evidence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on blood pressure, heart rate, and hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, the Cochrane library, and the website www.clinicaltrials.gov were searched on April 5th, 2014. Randomized-controlled trials with available data were included if they compared GLP-1RAs with placebo and traditional antidiabetic drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes with duration ≥ 12 weeks. Weighted mean difference for blood pressure and heart rate, odds ratio (OR) for hypertension were calculated by random-effect model. Network meta-analysis was performed to supplement direct comparisons.

RESULTS

Sixty trials with 14 treatments were included. Compared with placebo, insulin, and sulfonylureas, GLP-1RAs decreased systolic blood pressure with range from -1.84 mmHg (95% CI: -3.48 to -0.20) to -4.60 mmHg (95% CI: -7.18 to -2.03). Compared with placebo, a reduction in diastolic blood pressure was detected significantly only for exenatide-10 μg-twice-daily (-1.08 mmHg, 95% CI: -1.78 to -0.33). Exenatide (2 mg once weekly), liraglutide 1.2 mg once daily), and liraglutide (1.8 mg once daily) increased heart rate by 3.35 (95% CI: 1.23-5.50), 2.06 (95% CI: 0.43, 3.74), and 2.35 (95% CI: 0.94-3.76) beats/min versus placebo. This effect was evident compared with active control (range: 2.22-3.62). No significant association between incident hypertension and GLP-1RAs was detected, except for the association between exenatide-10 μg-twice-daily and sulfonylureas (OR, 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

GLP-1RAs were associated with modest reduction on blood pressure, a slight increase in heart rate, yet no significant association with hypertension. Further investigation to explore mechanisms is warranted.

Effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on waist circumference among type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly used in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effect on abdominal obesity has not yet been confirmed. The study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of GLP-1RAs on waist circumference in patients with type 2 diabetes. MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and www.clinicaltrialgov were searched through October 31, 2013. Randomized controlled trials with available data were selected if they compared GLP-1 RAs with placebo and traditional anti-diabetic drugs with a duration≥8 weeks. Weighted mean difference was estimated using random-effect model. Network meta-analysis was performed to supplement direct comparisons. Seventeen trials with 12 treatments were included. Overall, significant reductions on waist circumference following treatment of liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily (-5.24 cm, 95% CI -7.68, -2.93), liraglutide--1.2 mg once daily (-4.73 cm, 95% CI -6.68, -2.65) and exenatide--10 μg twice daily (-1.34 cm, 95 % CI -2.00, -0.75) were detected versus placebo. The reduction effect was more evident when compared with insulin and thiazolidinediones (range -1.71 to -8.03 cm). Compared with exenatide, liraglutide--0.6 mg once daily, taspoglutide, liraglutide--1.2 mg once daily and liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily significantly decreased waist circumference from -3.32 to -6.01 cm. Besides, liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily significantly decreased waist circumference by -1.73 cm (95 % CI -3.04, -0.55) versus sitagliptin, whereas no significant difference following liraglutide--1.2-mg-once-daily treatment was detected compared with liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily and sitagliptin. Reduction was observed with statistical significance for exenatide--10 μg twice daily compared with exenatide--5 μg twice daily (-1.21 cm, 95% CI -2.43, -0.06). Ranking probability analysis indicated liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily and liraglutide--1.2 mg once daily decreased waist circumference most among all 12 treatments with probability of 98.36% and 91.82%, respectively. Some GLP-1RAs, especially liraglutide--1.8 mg once daily and liraglutide--1.2 mg once daily, were associated with a significant reduction in waist circumference.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on lipid profiles among type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception through October 31, 2013. Randomized controlled trials with available data were selected if they compared GLP-1 RAs with placebo and traditional antidiabetic drugs with a duration ≥8 weeks. The weighted mean difference for changes in lipid profiles was estimated by using the random effects model, and a network meta-analysis was performed to supplement direct comparisons.

FINDINGS

Thirty-five trials with 13 treatments were included in the analysis. GLP-1 RAs decreased HDL-C with a range of -0.06 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.11 to -0.01) to -0.13 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.17 to -0.10) compared with thiazolidinediones, whereas thiazolidinediones were associated with a significant increase in HDL-C compared with placebo (0.09 mmol/L [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.12]). A significant reduction in LDL-C was detected for all GLP-1 RAs versus placebo (range, -0.08 to -0.16 mmol/L), insulin (range, -0.10 to -0.19 mmol/L), and thiazolidinediones (range, -0.16 to -0.24 mmol/L). Exenatide, liraglutide 1.8 mg once daily, and taspoglutide decreased total cholesterol with a range of -0.16 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.26 to -0.06) to -0.27 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.41 to -0.12) versus placebo and thiazolidinediones (range, -0.26 to -0.37 mmol/L). The decreased effect was more evident in exenatide long-acting release and liraglutide 1.8 mg once daily. A significant reduction in triglyceride levels was observed with liraglutide 1.8 mg once daily (-0.30 mmol/L [95% CI, -0.49 to -0.11]) and taspoglutide 20 mg once weekly (-0.17 mmol/L [95% CI, -0.31 to -0.01]) versus placebo.

IMPLICATIONS

GLP-1 RAs were associated with modest reductions in LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides but no significant improvement in HDL-C. Further evidence is needed to determine if improvements in lipid profiles might translate into reductions in cardiovascular outcomes.

Insulin glargine in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes in Japan

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of insulin glargine in Japanese pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes in clinical settings based on post-marketing surveillance data.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected from Japanese pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes for 24 weeks after initiation of glargine treatment. Baseline characteristics, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), previous/concomitant medication, height, bodyweight, and adverse events were analyzed.

RESULTS

One-hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled from 20 medical institutions in Japan in 2003 and 2004. Of these patients, 73 were included in the safety analysis, and 70 of these patients were also included in the efficacy analysis. The 73 patients included 28 boys and 45 girls, with a mean age of 11.8 years at entry. Hypoglycemia occurred in three patients (three events) and was severe in two patients (two events); all patients recovered. In the efficacy evaluation, HbA1c at baseline and final assessment was 9.10% and 8.09% (P < 0.001) in all patients; 8.96% and 7.85% (P < 0.001) in patients aged 7-12 years (Group 1); and 9.28% and 8.37% (P = 0.010) in patients aged 13-15 years (Group 2). FPG significantly decreased in all patients and in Group 1. No significant changes were observed in body mass index or degree of obesity during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Glargine therapy for Japanese pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes resulted in good glycemic control in terms of HbA1c and FPG as well as good safety in clinical settings. Glargine had little effect on the physical build of patients.

Modern basal insulin analogs: An incomplete story

The currently available basal insulin does not completely mimic the endogenous insulin secretion. This has continued to promote the search for ideal basal insulin. The newer basal insulin have primarily focused on increasing the duration of action, reducing variability, and reducing the incidence of hypoglycemia, particularly nocturnal. However, the changing criteria of hypoglycemia within a short span of a few years along with the surprising introduction of major cardiac events as another outcome measure has not only clouded the assessment of basal insulin but has also polarized opinion worldwide about the utility of the newer basal insulin. A critical review of both the pre and post FDA analysis of all the basal insulin in this article attempts to clear some of the confusion surrounding the issues of hypoglycemia and glycemic control. This article also discusses all the trials and meta-analysis done on all the current basal insulin available along with their head-to-head comparison with particular attention to glycemic control and hypoglycemic events including severe and nocturnal hypoglycemia. This in-depth analysis hopes to provide a clear interpretation of the various analyses available in literature at this point of time thereby acting as an excellent guide to the readers in choosing the most appropriate basal insulin for their patient.

Use of basal insulin and the associated clinical outcomes among elderly nursing home residents with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective chart review study

BACKGROUND

The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in long-term care (LTC) settings can be complex as a result of age-related complications. Despite guideline recommendations, sliding scale insulin remains commonplace in the LTC setting and data on basal insulin use are lacking.

METHODS

This retrospective study used medical chart data and the Minimum Data Set from elderly LTC facility patients who received basal insulin (insulin glargine, insulin detemir, or neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin) for the treatment of diabetes, to investigate the practice patterns and associated clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 2,096 elderly, insulin-treated patients in LTC were identified, with 59.5% of them (N=1,247) receiving basal insulin. Of these, more than 50% of patients received sliding scale insulin in co-administration with basal insulin. Despite its ease of use, insulin pen use was very low, at 14.6%. Significant differences were observed between the basal insulin groups for glycated hemoglobin level and dosing frequency. Hypoglycemia was uncommon -17.2% of patients experienced at least one event, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypoglycemia between the groups.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest the underutilization of basal insulin in the LTC setting and worryingly high combinational use with sliding scale insulin. Differences in glycated hemoglobin and dosing frequencies between types of basal insulin warrant further comparative effectiveness studies.

U300, a novel long-acting insulin formulation

INTRODUCTION

Insulin glargine (100 U/ml; U100) was the first long-acting basal insulin analog to be introduced into clinical practice and it remains the most widely used. Although U100 is an effective and safe treatment, research is ongoing to optimize the time-action profile. The focus of this review is insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection 300 U/ml (U300), a novel formulation that contains a higher concentration of insulin than U100.

AREAS COVERED

The clinical efficacy and safety of U300 in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are discussed, with an emphasis on recently released data from the Phase III EDITION clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

The higher concentration of insulin in U300 results in a distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. U300 has a longer duration of action than U100 and plasma insulin exposure is less variable. Both insulin formulations exhibit a similar efficacy and safety profile, but importantly, U300 is associated with less body weight gain and a lower incidence of hypoglycaemic events.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists versus insulin glargine for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a new class of hypoglycemic drugs, including exenatide, liraglutide, albiglutide, lixisenatide, and taspoglutide. Insulin glargine is a standard agent used to supplement basal insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review the efficacy and safety profiles of GLP-1 receptor agonists versus insulin glargine in type 2 diabetic patients who have not achieved treatment goals with oral hypoglycemic agents.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and the database of ongoing trials were searched from inception through April 2010. Additional data were sought from relevant Web sites, the American Diabetes Association, reference lists of included trials and related (systematic) reviews, and industry. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected if they were ≥3 months in duration, compared GLP-1 receptor agonists with insulin glargine in patients with T2DM, and included ≥1 of the following outcomes: mortality, complications of T2DM, glycemie control, weight, lipids, blood pressure, adverse effects, and health-related quality of life. Quasirandomized controlled trials were excluded. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed on the basis of the following aspects: randomization procedure, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data (intent-to-treat [ITT] analysis), selective outcome reporting, and publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 410 citations were retrieved; 5 multicenter RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were identified. They were all open-label designs with an insulin glargine arm, predefined outcomes reported, and ITT analysis. One trial had an unclear randomization procedure and allocation concealment. Publication bias was not able to be determined. No data wete found with regard to mortality or diabetes-associated complications, and few data were found on quality of life. The results of the metaanalysis suggest that insulin glargine was significantly better in reducing the fasting blood glucose (mean difference [MD] [95% CI], 1.31 [1.04 to 1.58]; P < 0.001), but exhibits greater incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia (risk ratio [RR] [95% CI], 0.40 [0.23 to 0.71]; P = 0.002) and influenza (RR [95% CI], 0.56 [0.32 to 0.98]; P = 0.04). GLP-1 receptor agonists are more conducive to reducing weight (MD [95% CI], -3.96 [-5.14 to -2.77]; P < 0.001), postprandial blood glucose (after breakfast, P < 0.001; after dinner, P < 0.001), and LDL-C (MD [95% CI], -0.18 [-0.28 to -0.08]; P < 0.001), but have significantly more gastrointestinal adverse effects (eg, nausea/ vomiting, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between GLP-1 receptor agonists and insulin glargine in reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (MD [95% CI], -0.03 [-0.13 to 0.08]) and the overall incidence of hypoglycemia (RR [95% CI], 0.69 [0.42 to 1.14]).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with insulin glargine, GLP-1 receptor agonists did not have a significant difference in regard to reducing HbA1c levels and they were significantly associated with decreased weight but increased gastrointestinal adverse events. It remains unclear whether GLP-1 receptor agonists influence mortality or diabetes-associated complications in patients with T2DM. More trials with longer follow-up are needed to determine the exact long-term efficacy and safety profiles of this new class of hypoglycemic drugs.

The cardiovascular effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: a trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a new class of antidiabetic drugs. Their wider use for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has led to concerns about its cardiovascular effects. However, the robustness of data leading to those concerns is unclear. The purpose of this study is to systematically assess the robustness of the available evidence on the adverse cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The Cochrane library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and www.clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception through to 25 January 2013. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected if they compared GLP-1 receptor agonists with placebo or other drugs with a duration ≥12 weeks. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (MH-OR) of cardiovascular events with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated using a random effects model. Trial sequential analysis based on required information size with an assumption of plausible reductions in relative risk in the low-bias trials, 5% risk of a type I error and 20% risk of a type II error was used to explore the robustness of available evidence.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight trials were included in the analysis (10 466 patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists and 7138 patients receiving comparators, respectively). Overall, the OR for cardiovascular events with GLP-1 receptor agonists was 0·52 (95% CI: 0·27-0·99) compared with placebo and 0·84 (95% CI: 0·52-1·36) with active controls. Trial sequential analyses showed that the actual accumulated sample size was only 11% (7445 of 65 212) and 13% (10 157 of 79 198) of the required information size for placebo-controlled trials and active-controlled trials, respectively. These results indicate that there is still insufficient evidence on cardiovascular events.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

GLP-1 receptor agonists do not seem to show any increased risk of cardiovascular events However, the available data from RCTs remain insufficient to confirm an absence of detrimental effect. More long-term trials and population-based studies are required to provide the necessary reassurance on the cardiovascular safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Design of non-standard insulin analogs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Structure-based protein design has enabled the engineering of insulin analogs with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Exploiting classical structures of zinc insulin hexamers, the first insulin analog products focused on destabilization of subunit interfaces to obtain rapid-acting (prandial) formulations. Complementary efforts sought to stabilize the insulin hexamer or promote higher-order self-assembly within the subcutaneous depot toward the goal of enhanced basal glycemic control with reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Current products either operate through isoelectric precipitation (insulin glargine, the active component of Lantus; Sanofi-Aventis, Paris, France) or employ an albumin-binding acyl tether (insulin detemir, the active component of Levemir; Novo-Nordisk, Basværd, Denmark). In the past year second-generation basal insulin analogs have entered clinical trials in an effort to obtain ideal flat 24-hour pharmacodynamic profiles. The strategies employ non-standard protein modifications. One candidate (insulin degludec; Novo-Nordisk a/s) undergoes extensive subcutaneous supramolecular assembly coupled to a large-scale allosteric reorganization of the insulin hexamer (the TR transition). Another candidate (LY2605541; Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN, USA) utilizes coupling to polyethylene glycol to delay absorption and clearance. On the other end of the spectrum, advances in delivery technologies (such as microneedles and micropatches) and excipients (such as the citrate/zinc-ion chelator combination employed by Biodel, Inc., Danbury, CT, USA) suggest strategies to accelerate PK/PD toward ultra-rapid-acting insulin formulations. Next-generation insulin analogs may also address the feasibility of hepatoselective signaling. Although not in clinical trials, early-stage technologies provide a long-range vision of "smart insulins" and glucose-responsive polymers for regulated hormone release.

Combination therapy with insulin glargine and exenatide: real-world outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the real-world use of combination insulin glargine/exenatide therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated treatment persistence and glycemic control.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, data were extracted from a national US insurance claims database for patients with T2DM for whom insulin glargine and exenatide were co-prescribed in differing order: insulin glargine added after exenatide (EXE+); exenatide added after insulin glargine (GLA+); glargine and exenatide initiated together (GLA + EXE). Patients had continuous health plan coverage for 6 months pre- (baseline) and 1-year post-index (follow-up).

RESULTS

A total of 453 patients were eligible for analysis: 141 patients were included in the EXE+ cohort, 281 in the GLA+ cohort, and 31 in the GLA + EXE cohort. There were significant differences between the groups at baseline, including a significantly lower A1C in the GLA+ versus the EXE+ cohort (p = 0.0023). Around one third of patients stayed on both drugs up until the end of the follow-up period (GLA+: 30.2%; EXE+: 29.0%; GLA + EXE: 29.0%). However, more patients stayed on insulin glargine than on exenatide in each cohort. Significant A1C reductions were observed in each of the cohorts at follow-up: GLA+: -0.4%; EXE+: -0.9%; GLA + EXE: -1.2%; p < 0.01, and were significantly higher in the GLA + EXE and EXE+ cohorts than in the GLA+ cohort (p = 0.03 and p = 0.002, respectively). The mean number of hypoglycemic events increased slightly from baseline but remained low in each of the cohorts (GLA+: 0.12 to 1.42; EXE+: 0.09 to 1.04; GLA + EXE: 0.23 to 1.87 per patient, all p > 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined therapy with insulin glargine and exenatide resulted in A1C reductions in T2DM patients with poor glycemic control without a significantly increased risk of hypoglycemia irrespective of treatment order. Limitations of this study are the between-cohort differences at baseline, lack of a comparator group, and small n number, particularly in the GLA + EXE cohort.

Metabolism of biologics: biotherapeutic proteins

Recombinant therapeutic protein drugs have now been in clinical use for nearly three decades and have advanced considerably in complexity over this time period. Regulatory approvals of some early pioneering protein drugs did not require characterization of metabolism, but more recently regulatory expectations and guidance have appropriately evolved. Sponsors may now be expected to investigate metabolism of newer biologics as the structural complexity of proteins has increased markedly, particularly with the introduction of conjugated and modified proteins. This review discusses the value and need for metabolite characterization of some therapeutic proteins by presenting select examples. Regulatory expectations will undoubtedly evolve further with the development of other novel macromolecular biologic therapeutics based on modified nucleic acids, novel conjugated lipids and polysaccharides.

Insulin analogs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus: therapeutic applications of protein engineering

The engineering of insulin analogs represents a triumph of structure-based protein design. A framework has been provided by structures of insulin hexamers. Containing a zinc-coordinated trimer of dimers, such structures represent a storage form of the active insulin monomer. Initial studies focused on destabilization of subunit interfaces. Because disassembly facilitates capillary absorption, such targeted destabilization enabled development of rapid-acting insulin analogs. Converse efforts were undertaken to stabilize the insulin hexamer and promote higher-order self-assembly within the subcutaneous depot toward the goal of enhanced basal glycemic control with reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Current products either operate through isoelectric precipitation (insulin glargine, the active component of Lantus(®); Sanofi-Aventis) or employ an albumin-binding acyl tether (insulin detemir, the active component of Levemir(®); Novo-Nordisk). To further improve pharmacokinetic properties, modified approaches are presently under investigation. Novel strategies have recently been proposed based on subcutaneous supramolecular assembly coupled to (a) large-scale allosteric reorganization of the insulin hexamer (the TR transition), (b) pH-dependent binding of zinc ions to engineered His-X(3)-His sites at hexamer surfaces, or (c) the long-range vision of glucose-responsive polymers for regulated hormone release. Such designs share with wild-type insulin and current insulin products a susceptibility to degradation above room temperature, and so their delivery, storage, and use require the infrastructure of an affluent society. Given the global dimensions of the therapeutic supply chain, we envisage that concurrent engineering of ultra-stable protein analog formulations would benefit underprivileged patients in the developing world.

How pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles pave the way for optimal basal insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes

This pedagogical review illustrates the differences between pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) measures, using insulin therapy as the primary example. The main conclusion is that PD parameters are of greater clinical significance for insulin therapy than PK parameters. The glucose-clamp technique, the optimal method for determining insulin PD, is explained so that the reader can understand the important studies in the literature. Key glucose-clamp studies that compare two basal insulin analogues - insulin glargine and insulin detemir - to Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin and to each other are then presented. The review further explains how PD parameters have been translated into useful clinical concepts and simple titration algorithms for everyday clinical practice. Finally, the necessity of overcoming patient and/or physician barriers to insulin therapy and providing continuing education and training is emphasised.

In vitro metabolic and mitogenic signaling of insulin glargine and its metabolites

Background

Insulin glargine (Lantus®) is a long-acting basal insulin analog that demonstrates effective day-long glycemic control and a lower incidence of hypoglycemia than NPH insulin. After subcutaneous injection insulin glargine is partly converted into the two main metabolites M1 ([Gly^A21]insulin) and M2 ([Gly^A21,des-Thr^B30]insulin). The aim of this study was to characterize the glargine metabolites in vitro with regard to their insulin receptor (IR) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) binding and signaling properties as well as their metabolic and mitogenic activities.

Methods

The affinity of human insulin, insulin glargine and its metabolites to the IR isoforms A and B or IGF1R was analyzed in a competitive binding assay using SPA technology. Receptor autophosphorylation activities were studied via In-Cell Western in CHO and MEF cells overexpressing human IR-A and IR-B or IGF1R, respectively. The metabolic response of the insulins was studied as stimulation of lipid synthesis using primary rat adipocytes. Thymidine incorporation in Saos-2 cells was used to characterize the mitogenic activity.

Conclusions

The binding of insulin glargine and its metabolites M1 and M2 to the IR were similar and correlated well with their corresponding autophosphorylation and metabolic activities in vitro. No differences were found towards the two IR isoforms A or B. Insulin glargine showed a higher affinity for IGF1R than insulin, resulting in a lower EC₅₀ value for autophosphorylation of the receptor and a more potent stimulation of thymidine incorporation in Saos-2 cells. In contrast, the metabolites M1 and M2 were significantly less active in binding to and activation of the IGF1R and their mitogenicity in Saos-2 cells was equal to human insulin. These findings strongly support the idea that insulin glargine metabolites contribute with the same potency as insulin glargine to blood glucose control but lead to significantly reduced growth-promoting activity.