Canagliflozin provides greater attainment of both HbA1c and body weight reduction versus sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes

Safety and effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in a UK population with type 2 diabetes and aged over 70 years: an instrumental variable approach

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Older adults are under-represented in trials, meaning the benefits and risks of glucose-lowering agents in this age group are unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in people with type 2 diabetes aged over 70 years using causal analysis.

METHODS

Hospital-linked UK primary care data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 2013-2020) were used to compare adverse events and effectiveness in individuals initiating SGLT2i compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i). Analysis was age-stratified: <70 years (SGLT2i n=66,810, DPP4i n=76,172), ≥70 years (SGLT2i n=10,419, DPP4i n=33,434). Outcomes were assessed using the instrumental variable causal inference method and prescriber preference as the instrument.

RESULTS

Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis was increased with SGLT2i in those aged ≥70 (incidence rate ratio compared with DPP4i: 3.82 [95% CI 1.12, 13.03]), but not in those aged <70 (1.12 [0.41, 3.04]). However, incidence rates with SGLT2i in those ≥70 was low (29.6 [29.5, 29.7]) per 10,000 person-years. SGLT2i were associated with similarly increased risk of genital infection in both age groups (incidence rate ratio in those <70: 2.27 [2.03, 2.53]; ≥70: 2.16 [1.77, 2.63]). There was no evidence of an increased risk of volume depletion, poor micturition control, urinary frequency, falls or amputation with SGLT2i in either age group. In those ≥70, HbA1c reduction was similar between SGLT2i and DPP4i (-0.3 mmol/mol [-1.6, 1.1], -0.02% [0.1, 0.1]), but in those <70, SGLT2i were more effective (-4 mmol/mol [4.8, -3.1], -0.4% [-0.4, -0.3]).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Causal analysis suggests SGLT2i are effective in adults aged ≥70 years, but increase risk for genital infections and diabetic ketoacidosis. Our study extends RCT evidence to older adults with type 2 diabetes.

The Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Vascular Aging

Vascular aging is defined as organic and functional changes in blood vessels, in which decline in autophagy levels, DNA damage, MicroRNA (miRNA), oxidative stress, sirtuin, and apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 (ASK1) are integral thereto. With regard to vascular morphology, the increase in arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, vascular calcification and high amyloid beta levels are closely related to vascular aging. Further closely related thereto, at the cellular level, is the aging of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Vascular aging seriously affects the health, economy and life of patients, but can be delayed by SGLT2 inhibitors through the improvement of vascular function. In the present article, a review is conducted of recent domestic and international progress in research on SGLT2 inhibitors,vascular aging and diseases related thereto, thereby providing theoretical support and guidance for further revealing the relationship between SGLT2 inhibitors and diseases related to vascular aging.

Comparison of cardiovascular outcomes and cardiometabolic risk factors between patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: a meta-analysis

AIMS 

Prevention of cardiovascular outcomes is a goal of the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients as important as lowering blood glucose levels. Among the various glucose-lowering agents, the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2Is) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) on cardiovascular outcomes have become the focus of recent researches.

METHODS AND RESULTS 

A systematic search was performed through several online database. All studies that compared the effects of SGLT-2Is and DPP-4Is on cardiovascular outcomes and cardiometabolic risk factors were reviewed. A total of 30 studies were included. Compared with DPP-4Is, SGLT-2Is treatment reduced the risk of stroke [risk ratio (RR) = 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.76-0.84], myocardial infarction (RR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89), heart failure (RR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.54-0.62), cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.51-0.60), and all-cause mortality (RR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.57-0.63). In addition, SGLT-2Is presented favourable effects on hemoglobinA1c, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The differences in blood lipids were also compared.

CONCLUSION

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are superior to DPP-4Is in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors bring more benefits with respect to the cardiometabolic risk factors.

Incretin mimetics and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors as monotherapy or add-on to metformin for treatment of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Although there are many different methods of treating type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is still difficult to draw coincident conclusions concerning the efficacy and safety of different classes of new drugs, and the recommendation level of them has still kept uncertain as second anti-diabetic agents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize evidence on the efficacy and safety of DPP-4is, GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is as monotherapy or add-on to metformin (Met) for treatment of T2D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant articles in keeping with established methods using terms associated with anti-diabetic agents up to February, 2020, with no start date restriction. Weighted mean difference and risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated within traditional and network meta-analysis. Primary outcomes were the mean change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) change and the frequency of hypoglycemic events from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 64 eligible studies comprising 37,780 patients and 7 treatment strategies were included. The results of primary outcomes showed that GLP-1RAs were significantly more effective than DPP-4is or SGLT-2is in reducing HbA1c when add-on to Met. For FPG, both GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is significantly reduced FPG compared with DPP-4is whether add-on to Met or not. For hypoglycemia, monotherapy has a lower risk than combination therapy except for SGLT-2is. Ranking probability analysis indicated that GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is, respectively, reduced HbA1c and FPG most when add-on to Met. Meanwhile, GLP-1RAs took the lowest risk to induce the hypoglycemia, whereas GLP-1RAs plus Met the highest.

CONCLUSIONS

Both GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is have their own advantages in efficacy and safety. Monotherapy is beneficial for reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. The recommendation should be a patient-centered approach when selecting treatment choices.

Efficacy of dapagliflozin versus sitagliptin on cardiometabolic risk factors in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a prospective, randomized study (DIVERSITY-CVR)

Background

Few prospective studies have compared the cardiovascular benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. We aimed to clarify the efficacy of dapagliflozin versus sitagliptin for modulating cardiometabolic risk factors including high glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, hypoglycemia, and body weight.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, parallel-group trial enrolled 340 Japanese patients with early-stage type 2 diabetes receiving metformin alone or no glucose-lowering agents, who were randomized to receive dapagliflozin or sitagliptin for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved the composite endpoint of HbA1c level maintenance < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol), avoidance of hypoglycemia (maintenance of sensor glucose ≥ 3.0 mmol/L or ≥ 54 mg/dL), and ≥ 3.0% body weight loss from baseline. Secondary endpoints included components of the primary endpoint, other metabolic indices, and glucose variability indices measured using flash glucose monitoring.

Results

Clinical characteristics of patients were age, 58.1 ± 12.2 years; known duration of diabetes, 5.8 ± 6.1 years; body weight, 74.7 ± 14.2 kg; body mass index, 27.9 ± 4.1 kg/m²; and HbA1c level, 7.8 ± 0.8% at baseline. The achievement ratio of primary endpoint was significantly higher in the dapagliflozin group than in the sitagliptin group (24.4% vs. 13.8%, P < 0.05). While the rates of HbA1c level maintenance < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) and avoidance of hypoglycemia were comparable between the groups (49.4 vs. 50.0% and 88.7 vs. 92.3% for dapagliflozin vs. sitagliptin, respectively), body weight loss of ≥ 3.0% was significantly achieved in the dapagliflozin group (54.4 vs. 19.6%, P < 0.001). Moreover, dapagliflozin was superior to sitagliptin regarding several secondary endpoints that modulate cardiometabolic risk, namely reducing fasting plasma glucose, insulin, uric acid, increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and suppressing the increase in serum creatinine and the decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate. On the other hand, sitagliptin was superior to dapagliflozin in suppressing glucose variability.

Conclusions

Compared to sitagliptin, dapagliflozin was significantly more effective at improving cardiometabolic risk factors, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors might be more suitable than DPP-4 inhibitors for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with early-stage but inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration Trial number, UMIN000028014; registered on June 30, 2017

Canagliflozin: A Review in Type 2 Diabetes

Canagliflozin (Invokana^®) is a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor indicated in various countries worldwide for the once-daily oral treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Canagliflozin lowers blood glucose levels independently of insulin, with the inhibition of SGLT2 reducing renal reabsorption of glucose and increasing excretion of glucose in the urine. In well-designed clinical trials, canagliflozin (as first-line monotherapy or add-on therapy to other antihyperglycaemic agents) improved glycaemic control in adults with T2D, including those of older age and/or at high cardiovascular (CV) risk, and also had beneficial effects on their bodyweight and blood pressure (BP). CV risk reduction, as well as possible renal benefits, were also seen with canagliflozin in T2D patients at high CV risk in the CANVAS Program, an integrated analysis of two large CV outcomes studies. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, had a low risk of hypoglycaemia and was most commonly associated with adverse events such as genital and urinary tract infections and increased urination, consistent with its mechanism of action. Although the amputation and fracture risk observed among recipients of the drug require further investigation, canagliflozin is an important option for T2D management in adults.

When metformin is not enough: Pros and cons of SGLT2 and DPP-4 inhibitors as a second line therapy

The newer oral therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, have advantages over older agents. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are weight neutral and have few adverse effects. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have additional benefits: weight loss, blood pressure reduction, cardiovascular risk reduction, and renoprotective effects. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have increased risk of urogenital infections and possible risk of "euglycaemic" diabetic ketoacidosis. It is important to balance the benefits over the older-oral therapies as these agents are more expensive; yet some analyses suggest that they are within the limits of what is considered cost-effective in health care. We discuss the relative merits and drawbacks of these 2 classes and consider their roles in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We suggest a number of patient profiles where early use of these agents could be used. We favour the use of SGLT2 inhibitors over DPP-4 inhibitors as add on therapy to metformin when glycaemic targets have not been achieved given their similar glycaemic efficacy and the additional benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors. We particularly favour SGLT2 inhibitors in those where additional weight loss and blood pressure reductions are desired, and in patients with heart failure or cardiovascular disease. Care should be taken to warn patients about genital fungal infections and to avoid use in people with risk factors for SGLT2 associated ketoacidosis. We favour DPP-4 inhibitors in those where side effects of other agents are of concern, the frail elderly population, and those with renal disease precluding SGTL2 inhibitor use.

Achieving the composite endpoint of HbA1c, body weight, and systolic blood pressure reduction with canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

In addition to achieving glycemic control, weight loss and blood pressure (BP) reduction are important components of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, as many patients with T2DM are overweight/obese and/or have hypertension. Canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, has demonstrated improvements in HbA1c, body weight (BW), and systolic BP across a broad range of patients with T2DM. This analysis evaluated achievement of composite endpoints of HbA1c, BW, and systolic BP targets with canagliflozin versus placebo.

METHODS

This post hoc analysis evaluated the proportion of T2DM patients achieving the composite endpoint of HbA1c reduction ≥0.5%, BW reduction ≥3%, and systolic BP reduction ≥4mmHg with canagliflozin 100 and 300mg compared with placebo using pooled data from four 26-week, phase 3 studies (N = 2313; NCT01081834, NCT01106677, NCT01106625, NCT01106690). The proportion of patients achieving the composite endpoint of HbA1c <7.0%, BW reduction ≥3%, and BP <130/80 mmHg was also evaluated.

RESULTS

At week 26, greater proportions of patients met individual HbA1c, BW, and systolic BP targets with canagliflozin versus placebo. A greater proportion of patients treated with canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg versus placebo also achieved the composite endpoint of HbA1c reduction ≥0.5%, BW reduction ≥3%, and systolic BP reduction ≥4 mmHg at week 26 (21.1%, 25.3%, and 5.7%, respectively; odds ratios [95% CI] of 4.5 [3.1, 6.5] and 5.6 [3.8, 8.2]). A greater proportion of patients also achieved the composite endpoint of HbA1c <7.0%, BW reduction ≥3%, and BP <130/80 mmHg with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg versus placebo (14.7%, 20.9%, and 3.3%, respectively; odds ratios [95% CI] of 5.2 [3.2, 8.4] and 8.4 [5.2, 13.5]). Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that seen in other phase 3 studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T2DM were more likely to achieve clinically important reductions in HbA1c, BW, and systolic BP with canagliflozin versus placebo.