Dose-dependent effects of the once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide in patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the dose-response relationship of lixisenatide (AVE0010), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, in metformin-treated patients with Type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, 13 week study of 542 patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled [glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) > or = 7.0 and < 9.0% (> or = 53 and < 75 mmol/mol)] on metformin (> or = 1000 mg/day) treated with subcutaneous lixisenatide doses of 5, 10, 20 or 30 microg once daily or twice daily or placebo. The primary end-point was change in HbA(1c) from baseline to 13 weeks in the intent-to-treat population.


RESULTS
Lixisenatide significantly improved mean HbA(1c) from a baseline of 7.55% (59.0 mmol/mol); respective mean reductions for 5, 10, 20 and 30 microg doses were 0.47, 0.50, 0.69 and 0.76% (5.1, 5.5, 7.5 and 8.3 mmol/mol), on once-daily and 0.65, 0.78, 0.75 and 0.87% (7.1, 8.5, 8.2 and 9.5 mmol/mol) on twice-daily administrations vs. 0.18% (2.0 mmol/mol) with placebo (all P < 0.01 vs. placebo). Target HbA(1c) < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) at study end was achieved in 68% of patients receiving 20 and 30 microg once-daily lixisenatide vs. 32% receiving placebo (P < 0.0001). Dose-dependent improvements were observed for fasting, postprandial and average self-monitored seven-point blood glucose levels. Weight changes ranged from -2.0 to -3.9 kg with lixisenatide vs. -1.9 kg with placebo. The most frequent adverse event was mild-to-moderate nausea.


CONCLUSIONS
Lixisenatide significantly improved glycaemic control in mildly hyperglycaemic patients with Type 2 diabetes on metformin. Dose-response relationships were seen for once- and twice-daily regimens, with similar efficacy levels, with a 20 microg once-daily dose of lixisenatide demonstrating the best efficacy-to-tolerability ratio. This new, once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist shows promise in the management of Type 2 diabetes to be defined further by ongoing long-term studies.
Ratner
R E
RE
Medstar Research Institute and Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC, USA.
Rosenstock
J
J
Boka
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon / Q000819:agonists* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000067758:Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Receptor
D001786:Blood Glucose; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin; D010455:Peptides; D010919:Placebos; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; C000593833:GLP1R protein, human; C479460:lixisenatide; D000067758:Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Receptor