[Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes]

Supraphysiological levels of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) have demonstrated a marked glucose-lowering effect in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Six GLP-1 receptor agonists are currently available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and have all proven to render significant reductions in both glycated haemoglobin level and body weight. However, of the clinical available compounds only liraglutide, dulaglutide and semaglutide have demonstrated reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease. This review aims at providing an overview of the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.

Glimepiride monotherapy versus combination of glimepiride and linagliptin therapy in patients with HNF1A-diabetes: a protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A)-diabetes is the most common monogenetic subtype of diabetes. Strict glycaemic control is crucial for a good prognosis for patients with HNF1A-diabetes. Sulfonylurea (SU) is used as a first-line therapy in HNF1A-diabetes. However, SU therapy may be problematic as it confers a high risk of hypoglycaemia. We hypothesise that low dose of SU in combination with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor provides a safer and more efficacious treatment in patients with HNF1A-diabetes compared with SU as monotherapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover study, patients with HNF1A-diabetes will randomly be assigned to 16 weeks of treatment with glimepiride+linagliptin, 4 weeks of washout and 16 weeks of treatment with glimepiride+placebo (or vice versa). Treatment will be evaluated with continuous glucose monitoring and combined meal and bicycle tests conducted at baseline and at the end of each of the two treatment periods. The primary end point is the absolute difference in the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions between the two treatments (glimepiride+linagliptin vs glimepiride+placebo) at the end of each treatment period.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol is approved by the Danish Medicines Agency, The Scientific-Ethical Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-17014518) and the Danish Data Protection Agency. The trial will be carried out and monitored in compliance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines and in accordance with the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. Positive, negative and inconclusive results will be published at scientific conferences and as one or more scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals with authorship in accordance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors' recommendations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

2017-000204-15.

[Diagnosis and treatment of maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3]

Maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3) is the most prevalent type of monogenetic diabetes. Treatment guidelines differ from both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. First-line treatment is a long-acting sulphonylurea, which lowers the plasma glucose level effectively, however with the risk of hypoglycaemia. When hypoglycaemia is a problem, short-acting sulphonylureas, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors may be used as alternatives. Metformin, glitazones and sodium glucose transporter 2-inhibitors have only limited applicability in MODY3. Further research needs to evaluate combinational therapy.

Chronic kidney disease in patients with the Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms

BACKGROUND

The progression of kidney function and frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with the Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is unknown, although CKD is linked to increased mortality.

METHODS

This longitudinal retrospective study evaluates the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 143 MPN patients over a period of 9 years.

RESULTS

29% of patients had CKD stage 3 or 4 at time of diagnosis. 20% of patients had a rapid annual loss of eGFR (>3mL/min/1.73m(2)) and eGFR was negatively correlated to monocyte and neutrophil counts.

CONCLUSION

Kidney impairment might contribute to the increased mortality observed in MPN patients.