Beneficial effects of once-daily lixisenatide on overall and postprandial glycemic levels without significant excess of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on a sulfonylurea with or without metformin (GetGoal-S).

AIMS: To assess efficacy and safety of lixisenatide once-daily versus placebo in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients inadequately controlled on sulfonylurea (SU) ± metformin. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, two-arm, parallel-group, multicenter study, patients received lixisenatide 20 µg once-daily or placebo for 24 weeks in a stepwise dose increase on top of SUs ± metformin. Primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to Week 24. RESULTS: Lixisenatide provided a significant reduction in HbA1c at Week 24 versus placebo (LS mean: -0.85% vs. -0.10%; p<0.0001) and more patients achieved HbA1c <7.0% (36.4% vs. 13.5%; p<0.0001). Lixisenatide significantly lowered FPG and body weight versus placebo. In breakfast meal test patients, lixisenatide reduced 2-hour PPG versus placebo (LS mean: -111.48 vs. -3.80 mg/dL [-6.19 vs. -0.21 mmol/L]; p<0.0001) and glucose excursion (-94.11 vs. +6.24 mg/dL [-5.22 vs. +0.35 mmol/L]), and reduced 2-hour glucagon, insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide. The percentage of AEs was 68.3% for lixisenatide and 61.1% for placebo; and for SAEs: 3.5% versus 5.6%, respectively. Lixisenatide did not significantly increase symptomatic hypoglycemia versus placebo (15.3% vs. 12.3%, respectively); one severe episode of hypoglycemia was reported with lixisenatide. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily lixisenatide significantly improved glycemic control, with a pronounced postprandial effect, without significant increase in symptomatic/severe hypoglycemia risk and with weight loss over 24 weeks.

Efficacy and safety of lixisenatide once daily versus exenatide twice daily in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin: a 24-week, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study (GetGoal-X).

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety of lixisenatide once daily versus exenatide twice daily in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Adults with diabetes inadequately controlled (HbA1c 7-10%) with metformin were randomized to lixisenatide 20 µg once daily (n=318) or exenatide 10 µg twice daily (n=316) in a 24-week (main period), open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study. The primary objective was a noninferiority assessment of lixisenatide versus exenatide in HbA1c change from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: Lixisenatide once daily demonstrated noninferiority in HbA1c reduction versus exenatide twice daily. The least squares mean change was -0.79% (mean decrease 7.97 to 7.17%) for lixisenatide versus -0.96% (mean decrease 7.96 to 7.01%) for exenatide, and treatment difference was 0.17% (95% CI, 0.033-0.297), meeting a predefined noninferiority upper CI margin of 0.4%. Responder rate (HbA1c<7.0%) and improvements in fasting plasma glucose were comparable. Both agents induced weight loss (from 94.5 to 91.7 kg and from 96.7 to 92.9 kg with lixisenatide and exenatide, respectively). Incidence of adverse events (AEs) was similar for lixisenatide and exenatide, as was incidence of serious AEs (2.8 and 2.2%, respectively). Discontinuations attributable to AEs occurred in 33 lixisenatide (10.4%) and 41 exenatide (13.0%) patients. In the lixisenatide group, fewer participants experienced symptomatic hypoglycemia (2.5 vs. 7.9%; P<0.05), with fewer gastrointestinal events (especially nausea; 24.5 vs. 35.1%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Add-on lixisenatide once daily in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin demonstrated noninferior improvements in HbA1c, with slightly lower mean weight loss, lower incidence of hypoglycemia, and better gastrointestinal tolerability compared with exenatide twice daily.

Efficacy and safety of the once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide in monotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes (GetGoal-Mono).

OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy and safety of lixisenatide monotherapy in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, 12-week study of 361 patients not on glucose-lowering therapy (HbA(1c) 7-10%) allocated to one of four once-daily subcutaneous dose increase regimens: lixisenatide 2-step (10 µg for 1 week, 15 µg for 1 week, and then 20 µg; n = 120), lixisenatide 1-step (10 µg for 2 weeks and then 20 µg; n = 119), placebo 2-step (n = 61), or placebo 1-step (n = 61) (placebo groups were combined for analyses). Primary end point was HbA(1c) change from baseline to week 12. RESULTS: Once-daily lixisenatide significantly improved HbA(1c) (mean baseline 8.0%) in both groups (least squares mean change vs. placebo: -0.54% for 2-step, -0.66% for 1-step; P < 0.0001). Significantly more lixisenatide patients achieved HbA(1c) <7.0% (52.2% 2-step, 46.5% 1-step) and ≤ 6.5% (31.9% 2-step, 25.4% 1-step) versus placebo (26.8% and 12.5%, respectively; P < 0.01). Lixisenatide led to marked significant improvements of 2-h postprandial glucose levels and blood glucose excursions measured during a standardized breakfast test. A significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose was observed in both lixisenatide groups versus placebo. Mean decreases in body weight (∼2 kg) were observed in all groups. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal-nausea was the most frequent (lixisenatide 23% overall, placebo 4.1%). Symptomatic hypoglycemia occurred in 1.7% of lixisenatide and 1.6% of placebo patients, with no severe episodes. Safety/tolerability was similar for the two dose regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily lixisenatide monotherapy significantly improved glycemic control with a pronounced postprandial effect (75% reduction in glucose excursion) and was safe and well tolerated in type 2 diabetes.

Effect of rimonabant on the high-triglyceride/ low-HDL-cholesterol dyslipidemia, intraabdominal adiposity, and liver fat: the ADAGIO-Lipids trial.

BACKGROUND: Rimonabant, the first selective cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist, improves cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese patients. ADAGIO-Lipids assessed the effect of rimonabant on cardiometabolic risk factors and intraabdominal and liver fat. METHODS AND RESULTS: 803 abdominally obese patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia (increased triglycerides [TG] or reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]) were randomized to placebo or rimonabant 20 mg/d for 1 year. HDL-C and TG were coprimary end points. Intraabdominal (visceral) and liver fat were measured by computed tomography in a subgroup of 231 patients. In total, 73% of rimonabant- and 70% of placebo-treated patients completed the study treatment. Rimonabant 20 mg produced significantly greater changes from baseline versus placebo in HDL-C (+7.4%) and TG levels (-18%; P<0.0001), as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL particle sizes, apolipoprotein A1 and B, HDL2, HDL3, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin levels (all P<0.05). Rimonabant decreased abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) cross-sectional area by 5.1% compared to placebo (P<0.005), with a greater reduction in visceral AT (-10.1% compared to placebo; P<0.0005), thereby reducing the ratio of visceral/subcutaneous AT (P<0.05). Rimonabant significantly reduced liver fat content (liver/spleen attenuation ratio; P<0.005). Systolic (-3.3 mm Hg) and diastolic (-2.4 mm Hg) blood pressure were significantly reduced with rimonabant versus placebo (P<0.0001). The safety profile of rimonabant was consistent with previous studies; gastrointestinal, nervous system, psychiatric, and general adverse events were more common with rimonabant 20 mg. CONCLUSIONS: In abdominally obese patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia, rimonabant 20 mg significantly improved multiple cardiometabolic risk markers and induced significant reductions in both intraabdominal and liver fat.