From Denise Mann
HealthDay reporter
MONDAY, March 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Daily bursts of insulin can become the bane of existence for people with type 2 diabetes, but a once-weekly shot of insulin can mean a change for those people.
While research is still in the early stages, the new drug called basal insulin Fc (BIF) is given once a week and appears to be as effective at controlling blood sugar (glucose) as insulin degludec, the one-time gold standard daily intake.
The weekly shot is as safe as insulin degludec and can better reduce the risk of dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) day and night, the new study showed.
The main benefit of once-weekly insulin is that more people are willing to stick to treatment, said Dr. John Buse, chief of endocrinology and director of the Diabetes Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Better compliance prevents complications from diabetes, including heart disease, vision loss and kidney problems, he added.
continuation
“It’s 52 injections a year instead of 365 to 700+,” said Buse, who was not involved in the new study. “On the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, it is amazing that insulin therapy is continuously being developed.”
Both insulin degludec and BIF are forms of basal or long-lasting background insulin. They control blood sugar levels between meals and are released 24 hours a day. Some types of basal insulin are given twice a day. In contrast, bolus insulin is given after meals and at other times when blood sugar rises. Insulin shots once a week wouldn’t negate the need to monitor blood sugar levels and take more insulin when needed.
The 32-week study included nearly 400 people with type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease most closely related to obesity. Participants were assigned to one of three treatment groups: once weekly injections of BIF in one of two doses, or once daily injections of insulin degludec.
Blood glucose control was similar for people who received a weekly intake and those who took daily recordings as measured by hemoglobin A1C. This provides a snapshot of blood sugar over the past two or three months.
continuation
In addition, weekly shots resulted in significantly lower hypoglycaemia rates.
“Daily insulin levels are more stable with a weekly shot, and this improvement likely leads to less hypoglycemia,” said study author Dr. Juan Pablo Frias, medical director of the National Research Institute in Los Angeles.
This was a phase 2 study, which means the new drug has a long way to go, or whether it will reach consumers. But if things go as planned, it could be available by 2023, Frias said. The weekly insulin shot is developed by Eli Lilly and Co, who funded the new study.
The results were presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual virtual meeting on Sunday. Results presented at medical sessions are deemed preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Further research is needed to confirm these results. However, weekly admissions could be especially important for people with diabetes who have difficulty managing their medications, including the elderly, people with memory problems, and people with physical impairments who could interfere with daily intake, said Dr. Deena Adimoolam, a New York medical doctor and spokeswoman for the Endocrine Society.
continuation
“Many patients with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes have a complicated drug regimen that must be followed each day with different uses of insulin, other injectables, and oral drugs,” said Adimoolam, who was not involved in the research. “Basal insulin, which is available as an injection once a week, would be a much easier option for patients than remembering to take basal insulin every day.”
Buse agreed. “It is heartwarming to consider the possibility that many more people can benefit from this less stressful insulin product for their health,” he said.
More information
For more information on diabetes and its treatments, see the Endocrine Society.
SOURCES: Dr. Juan Pablo Frias, Medical Director, National Research Institute, Los Angeles; John B. Buse, MD, PhD, chief, Department of Endocrinology, Verne S. Caviness Distinguished Professor, Director, Diabetes Center, Director, NC Institute for Translational and Clinical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Deena Adimoolam, MD, endocrinologist, New York City and spokesperson for the Endocrine Society; Virtual annual meeting of the Endocrine Society March 20-23, 2021
Comments are closed.