Emerging use of combination therapies for the management of type 2 diabetes - focus on saxagliptin and dapagliflozin

Complementary effects of dapagliflozin and lobeglitazone on metabolism in a diet-induced obese mouse model

Thiazolidinedione, an insulin sensitizer, has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism; however, there are concerns regarding weight gain and heart failure. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can reduce body weight, increase diuresis, and play a protective role in heart failure. We examined the complementary effects of dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and lobeglitazone, a thiazolidinedione, in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. We treated HFD-induced obese mice with vehicle, dapagliflozin, lobeglitazone, and their combination for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests were performed after 12-week treatment, and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after treatment. We analyzed oxygen consumption rate (OCR) using 3T3-L1 cells after treatment of β-hydroxybutyrate and/or lobeglitazone. Treatment with a combination of dapagliflozin and lobeglitazone resulted in a significant decrease in postprandial hyperglycemia compared with dapagliflozin monotherapy, but not compared with lobeglitazone monotherapy. The addition of dapagliflozin to lobeglitazone treatment did not attenuate weight gain compared with lobeglitazone monotherapy in this study. However, this combination prevented the increase of organ weight of liver and heart, and OCR in 3T3-L1 cells was increased after treatment with a combination of β-hydroxybutyrate and lobeglitazone compared to lobeglitazone monotherapy. We confirmed the beneficial effect of lobeglitazone on glucose metabolism; however, we did not find any beneficial effect of dapagliflozin on body weight in HFD-induced obese mice. However, the protective effects of dapagliflozin and lobeglitazone combined therapy on the liver, heart, energy consumption, and β-cell senescence are worth investigating in clinical trials.

Pharmacokinetics of a Fixed-Dose Combination Product of Dapagliflozin and Linagliptin and Its Comparison with Co-Administration of Individual Tablets in Healthy Humans

Dapagliflozin, a selective sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, and linagliptin, a competitive, reversible dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, are commonly prescribed antidiabetic medications in general clinics. Since there are several merits to combining them in a fixed-dose combination product, this study investigated the pharmacokinetic equivalence between the individual component (IC) and fixed-combination drug product (FCDP) forms of dapagliflozin and linagliptin. A randomized, open-label, single-dose crossover study was conducted. All participants (n = 48) were randomly allocated to group A (period 1: ICs, period 2: FCDP) or group B (period 1: FCDP, period 2: ICs), and each group received either a single dose of IN-C009 (FCDP) or single doses of both dapagliflozin and linagliptin. There was no statistically significant difference found between the pharmacokinetic variables of FCDP and IC. The values of estimated geometric mean ratios and the 90% confidence interval for both maximum concentration and area under the plasma drug concentration–time curve were within the range of 0.8–1.25 for both dapagliflozin and linagliptin. The results of the clinical study demonstrated comparable pharmacokinetic characteristics between IC and FCDP forms of dapagliflozin and linagliptin. The combined use of dapagliflozin and linagliptin was safe and tolerable in both formulations.

Long-term effects of dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin versus glimepiride on a background of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results of a 104-week extension to a 52-week randomized, phase 3 study and liver fat MRI substudy

AIM

To report the results of a 104-week extension to a 52-week study in which dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin (DAPA+SAXA) improved glycaemic control, liver fat and metabolic variables compared with glimepiride (GLIM) in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving background metformin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This extension to a 52-week global, multicentre, parallel-group, active-controlled, double-blind study (NCT02419612) continued randomized participants (1:1) on DAPA+SAXA (10/5 mg) plus placebo, or GLIM (1-6 mg) plus placebo, once daily. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years, had T2D (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 58.5-91.3 mmol/mol [7.5%-10.5%]), and a body mass index of 20.0 to 45.0 kg/m² , and were receiving metformin (MET; ≥1500 mg/d). Key outcomes were: requirement for treatment intensification, based on HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol (7%); achieving therapeutic glycaemic response; and changes in adipose tissue and liver fat on magnetic resonance imaging in a substudy.

RESULTS

Overall, 382 participants entered and 338 completed the 104-week extension period (MRI substudy, n = 82). The need for treatment intensification during the 156-week period was lower for DAPA+SAXA+MET (37.0%) than GLIM+MET (55.6%; hazard ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.68; P < 0.001). At week 156, 21.4% of DAPA+SAXA+MET versus 11.7% of GLIM+MET participants achieved therapeutic glycaemic response (HbA1c <53 mmol/mol; odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.23-3.42; P = 0.006). DAPA+SAXA+MET led to greater adjusted mean reductions from baseline in liver fat and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes versus GLIM+MET at week 122 (least-squares mean difference from GLIM+MET -4.89%, -0.41 L and -0.44 L, respectively; nominal P values ≤ 0.008). Safety was consistent with that of the monocomponents.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, glycaemic control, metabolic benefits and efficacy were better maintained with DAPA+SAXA+MET than with GLIM+MET in T2D.

Dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin add-on to metformin reduces liver fat and adipose tissue volume in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM

To assess the effects of dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin plus metformin versus glimepiride plus metformin on liver fat (proton density fat fraction) and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes over 52 weeks of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a magnetic resonance imaging substudy of a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin 10 mg/day plus saxagliptin 5 mg/day versus titrated glimepiride 1-6 mg (1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 mg) in 82 patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 7.5%-10.5%) on metformin ≥1500 mg/day background. Analyses were exploratory and not controlled for multiplicity; P-values are nominal.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 59 patients; liver fat and adipose tissue volumes were analysed for 59 and 57 patients, respectively. There was a significant >30% reduction from baseline in liver fat (P = 0.007) and >10% reduction in adipose tissue volumes (P < 0.01) with dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin plus metformin at week 52 versus glimepiride plus metformin. In the full-study population, dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin plus metformin decreased body weight and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels over 52 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin significantly decreased liver fat and adipose tissue volume versus glimepiride, and reduced serum liver enzyme levels, indicating a favourable metabolic profile of dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin therapy.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin versus insulin glargine over 52 weeks as add-on to metformin with or without sulphonylurea in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, parallel-design, open-label, Phase 3 trial

AIM

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin (DAPA + SAXA) were compared with insulin glargine (INS) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a 52-week extension study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This international Phase 3 study randomized adults with T2D on metformin with/without sulphonylurea. They received DAPA + SAXA or INS for 24 weeks (short-term) with a 28-week (long-term) extension. Week 52 exploratory endpoints included adjusted mean change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin A_1c (HbA1c) and body weight, and a proportion of patients achieving optimal glycaemic response without hypoglycaemia and without requiring rescue medication.

RESULTS

Of the 1163 patients enrolled, 643 received treatment; 600 (DAPA + SAXA, 306; INS, 294) entered the long-term phase. At 52 weeks, HbA1c [adjusted least squares (LS) mean; 95% confidence interval (CI)] decreased more with DAPA + SAXA (-1.5% [-1.6%, -1.4%]) than with INS (-1.3% [-1.4%, -1.1%]); the LS mean difference (95% CI) was -0.25% (-0.4%, -0.1%; P = 0.009). Total body weight reduced with DAPA + SAXA [LS mean (95% CI): -1.8 kg (-2.4, -1.3)] and increased with INS [LS mean (95% CI): +2.8 kg (2.2, 3.3)]. More patients on DAPA + SAXA (17.6%) achieved HbA1c <7.0% without hypoglycaemia versus those on INS (9.1%). Rescue medication was required by 77 patients (23.8%) and 97 patients (30.4%) in the DAPA + SAXA and INS groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DAPA + SAXA treatment was non-inferior to INS in reducing HbA1c and body weight, and in achieving optimal glycaemic control without hypoglycaemia in patients with T2D 52 weeks after initiation.

Therapeutic Experience of Saxagliptin as First Add-on after Metformin in Indian Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Non-interventional, Prospective, Observational Study (ONTARGET-INDIA)

INTRODUCTION

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors are widely used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients but the data available in existing clinical trial programmes on DPP4 inhibitors include limited number of patients from India. Hence, this study attempted to understand usage, efficacy and safety of saxagliptin as first add-on after metformin in Indians with T2DM.

METHODOLOGY

It was a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional and observational study planned to enrol T2DM patients who were inadequately controlled with metformin alone and had been recently (i.e., within past 15 days) prescribed saxagliptin as an add-on to metformin. Type 1 diabetes mellitus, use of glucose lowering drugs apart from metformin or saxagliptin, pregnancy, lactation, and medical condition, which could interfere with safe completion of the study were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 1109 participants (658 men and 451 women) with mean ± SD age of 51.17 ± 11.85 years were enrolled from 50 centres throughout India. Significant reduction was observed in mean ± SD change of HbA1c as - 0.86% ± 1.76 from baseline to after 3 months of therapy (P < 0.0001). The quality of life assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was reported to be "good" or "neither good nor bad" by majority of the participants at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. A total of 15 adverse events (AEs) were reported in the study, however, no serious adverse event (SAE) occurred during the study. All AEs were of mild intensity and did not require any intervention.

CONCLUSION

Overall, saxagliptin in combination with metformin was generally well tolerated in Indian T2DM patients and new safety event identified is an increased risk of hospitalisation in heart failure patients. This study is also registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02588859).

Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin tablets for adults with type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Saxagliptin (a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, DPP-4i) and dapagliflozin (a sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor, SGLT2i) improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) through different potentially complementary mechanisms, thus offering the opportunity for a combined therapy. Area covered: The characteristics of the saxagliptin/dapagliflozin combination are analysed, focusing on: 1) pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties; 2) efficacy and safety in phase III trials with concurrent and sequential add-on therapy; and 3) potential use in clinical practice, including in special populations (cardiovascular disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, elderly). Expert commentary: Conclusions drawn from clinical trials investigating combination with the separate drugs are considered to apply to the fixed-dose combination (FDC) that demonstrates bioequivalence. Dual saxagliptin/dapagliflozin therapy is more potent than either monotherapy and can be used as an initial combination or a stepwise sequential approach. Dual therapy is generally well tolerated and may be used in special populations, with some limitations because of the presence of dapagliflozin. However, the latter may offer some advantages because of multiple effects attributed to SGLT2i. The best place of this dual combination for the management of T2D and the profile of patients who will make the most of this combined therapy remains to be defined.