Tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity: Rationale and design of the SURMOUNT clinical development program.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a growing global concern compounded by limited availability of effective treatment options. The SURMOUNT development program aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention compared with placebo on chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 with or without type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The SURMOUNT program includes four global phase 3 trials NCT04184622 (SURMOUNT-1), NCT04657003 (SURMOUNT-2), NCT04657016 (SURMOUNT-3), and NCT04660643 (SURMOUNT-4). Participants are randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide versus placebo in a double-blind manner. The primary end point in all trials is the percentage change in body weight from randomization to end of treatment. Results for the primary end point for SURMOUNT-1 were published recently and results for the other trials are expected in 2023. RESULTS: Across trials, participants have a mean age of 44.9 to 54.2 years, are mostly female (50.7% to 69.7%), and have a mean BMI of 36.1 to 38.9. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive assessment of once-weekly tirzepatide in the global SURMOUNT program will detail the clinical effects of this first-in-class glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist in chronic weight management.

Efficacy and Safety of Ultra-Rapid Lispro in Younger and Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Double-Blind PRONTO-T2D Study.

INTRODUCTION: Ultra-rapid lispro (URLi) is a new prandial insulin lispro formulation. In the PRONTO-T2D study, URLi, in a basal-bolus regimen with glargine or degludec, was non-inferior to lispro (Humalog®) for HbA1c reduction and superior for postprandial glucose (PPG) control. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of URLi compared to lispro in younger versus older patients in PRONTO-T2D. METHODS: PRONTO-T2D was a phase 3, 26-week, double-blind, treat-to-target study in people with type 2 diabetes. In this sub-group analysis, we compared URLi to lispro on the change from baseline  in HbA1c and rate of level 2 hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dl) in patients aged < 65 (N = 406) and ≥ 65 years (N = 267). RESULTS: At baseline, patients < 65 versus ≥ 65 years had mean age of 54.9 versus 69.2 years and duration of diabetes 14.6 versus 19.4 years. Mean HbA1c at screening and randomization was 8.35 and 7.34%, respectively, in patients < 65 years, and 8.21 and 7.23%, respectively, in patients ≥ 65 years. At endpoint, mean HbA1c with URLi versus lispro was 6.92 versus 6.90%, respectively, in patients < 65 years and 6.89 versus 6.79%, respectively, in patients ≥ 65 years. URLi significantly reduced 1- and 2-h PPG excursions with a standardized meal test in both age groups: between-treatment differences at 1-h postmeal for younger and older patients was - 9.8 and - 15.1 mg/dl, respectively; and at 2-h postmeal, - 18.7 and - 15.1 mg/dl, respectively, all p < 0.05. Severe and nocturnal hypoglycemia were similar between groups. The relative rate (URLi/Humalog) of level 2 hypoglycemia was lower in older versus younger patients, with a significant treatment-by-age interaction observed. No differential treatment effects were noted for insulin dose, weight, and fasting and maximum glucose after the meal test. CONCLUSIONS: URLi, in a basal-bolus regimen, resulted in endpoint HbA1c < 7% and significantly lower PPG excursions compared to lispro in both age groups, with reduced level 2 hypoglycemia in older versus younger patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03214380.

What is the value of faster acting prandial insulin? Focus on ultra rapid lispro.

Rapid-acting insulins (RAIs) have been instrumental in the management of diabetes because of their improved postprandial glucose (PPG) control compared with regular human insulin. However, their absorption rate and time action following subcutaneous administration still falls short of the normal physiological response to meal consumption, increasing the risk of early postmeal hyperglycaemia and late postmeal hypoglycaemia. Increased demand for faster acting insulins, which can quickly control PPG excursions without increasing the risk of late hypoglycaemia, led to the development of ultra-rapid-acting insulins, including ultra-rapid lispro (URLi). URLi is a novel formulation of insulin lispro with accelerated absorption driven by two excipients: treprostinil, which increases local vasodilation, and citrate, which increases local vascular permeability. Clinical pharmacology studies consistently showed an earlier onset and shorter duration of action with URLi compared with Lispro. In a head-to-head study with Faster aspart, Aspart and Lispro, URLi was absorbed faster, provided earlier insulin action, and more closely matched physiological glucose response than the other insulins tested. URLi's unique pharmacokinetic properties increase its potential for improved PPG control beyond that achieved with RAIs. Indeed, in pivotal phase 3 trials, URLi was superior to Lispro for PPG control both at 1 and 2 hours after a meal in type 1 and type 2 diabetes with multiple daily injections, and in type 1 diabetes with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. This was achieved without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. In this review, we focus on the clinical and pharmacological evidence for URLi in the treatment of diabetes and discuss the potential benefits and considerations with URLi compared with RAIs.

Improved postprandial glucose control with ultra rapid lispro versus lispro with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in type 1 diabetes: PRONTO-Pump-2.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro (Humalog® ) in people with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a phase 3, 16-week, treat-to-target study in patients randomized to double-blind URLi (N = 215) or lispro (N = 217). The primary endpoint was change from baseline HbA1c (non-inferiority margin 4.4 mmol/mol [0.4%]), with multiplicity-adjusted objectives for postprandial glucose (PPG) levels during a meal test, and time spent in the target range 70-180 mg/dL (TIR). RESULTS: URLi was non-inferior to lispro for change in HbA1c, with a least-squares mean (LSM) difference of 0.3 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.6, 1.2) or 0.02% (95% CI -0.06, 0.11). URLi was superior to lispro in controlling 1- and 2-h PPG levels after the meal test: LSM difference -1.34 mmol/L (95% CI -2.00, -0.68) or -24.1 mg/dL (95% CI -36.0, -12.2) at 1 h and -1.54 mmol/L (95% CI -2.37, -0.72) or -27.8 mg/dL (95% CI -42.6, -13.0) at 2 h; both p < .001. TIR and time in hyperglycaemia were similar between groups but URLi resulted in significantly less time in hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L [54 mg/dL]) over the daytime, night-time and 24-h period: LSM difference -0.41%, -0.97% and -0.52%, respectively, all p < .05. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was higher with URLi (60.5% vs. 44.7%), driven by infusion-site reaction and infusion-site pain, which was mostly mild or moderate. Rates of severe hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: URLi was efficacious, providing superior PPG control and less time in hypoglycaemia but with more frequent infusion-site reactions compared with lispro when administered by CSII.

Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose contribution to glycated haemoglobin and time in range in people with type 2 diabetes on basal and bolus insulin therapy: Results from a pooled analysis of insulin lispro clinical trials.

AIMS: To investigate the interrelations between glycaemic metrics of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and percentage of time in target range 3.9 to 10.0 mmol/L (%TIR) in patients on insulin therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pooled analysis was conducted using datasets extracted from an integrated database of insulin lispro clinical trials (Eli Lilly and Company). Studies in patients with type 2 diabetes on basal-bolus or basal-plus insulin therapy, and with ≥7-point self-monitored blood glucose profiles were included in the analysis. A multivariate regression model was used to quantify the contribution of FPG and PPG change to the change in HbA1c and %TIR. In addition, a linear regression model was used to describe the relationship between %TIR and HbA1c. RESULTS: Five studies encompassing 1572 patients met the criteria for inclusion. On average, a 1-mmol/L change in FPG was associated with 2.7 mmol/mol (0.25%) change in HbA1c (range 2.0 to 2.8 mmol/mol [0.18%-0.26%]; all P <0.0001), and a 1-mmol/L change in PPG with 1.8 mmol/mol (0.16%) change in HbA1c (range 1.2 to 2.1 mmol/mol [0.11%-0.19%]; all P <0.01). Furthermore, a 1-mmol/L reduction in FPG and PPG was associated with an increase in TIR of 6.5% (range 5.8%-9.2%) and 5.3% (range 4.1%-8.7%), respectively, all P <0.0001. A decrease in HbA1c of 10.9 mmol/mol (1%) corresponded with an increase in TIR of 8.3%, on average. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes on basal-bolus or basal-plus insulin therapy, management of both FPG and PPG is important for achievement of HbA1c and TIR goals.