title: Treating to target in type 2 diabetes: the BEGIN trial programme.
abstract: Insulin degludec is a new-generation basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action. The insulin degludec and insulin degludec/insulin aspart clinical trial programme was truly global, involving 40 different countries and encompassing a multitude of ethnic populations. It is the largest insulin development clinical trial programme on record--with more than 11,000 patients included worldwide. It includes two main components: BEGIN (insulin degludec studied across the spectrum of diabetes) and BOOST (insulin degludec in a fixed-dose combination with insulin aspart). In clinical trials (phase 2 and phase 3a), insulin degludec achieved similar glycaemic control to that seen with insulin glargine in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes, but with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. In addition, trials examining a flexible dosing regimen of insulin degludec in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes show the potential for adjusting the injection time, without compromising glycaemic control or safety. A 200 U/mL formulation of insulin degludec is also available for use in patients who require large volumes of basal insulin. Subcutaneous insulin degludec is generally well tolerated in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes and represents a useful advance in the treatment of type 1 or 2 diabetes.
authors.forename: Subhash K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wangnoo
authors.forename: Subhankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting; C578220:insulin degludec, insulin aspart drug combination; C571886:insulin degludec