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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
January 9, 2012
Osiris released interim results from a phase II trial of Prochymal, a formulation of adult mesenchymal stem cells, for the treatment of type I diabetes. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 63 subjects who received Prochymal (from unrelated adult donors) or placebo, both with standard of care. The primary endpoint was measurement of C-peptide produced during a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test. The interim assessment at one year showed no significant differences in the rates of disease progression, as measured by stimulated C-peptide levels. There was a trend towards fewer hypoglycemic events for subjects treated with Prochymal as compared to controls. Systemic infusions of Prochymal were well-tolerated and there were no differences in adverse events between the Prochymal and placebo groups and no reactions to the infusions.
April 5, 2010
Living Cell Technologies issued positive interim results from a phase II trial of DiabeCell for the treatment of type I diabetes. This open label trial planned to enroll 8 subjects with difficult to control or unstable type I diabetes. Data are from the first four subjects who received 10,000 islet equivalents/kg body weight (IEQ/kg) DiabeCell encapsulated porcine islets implanted into the abdomen via a laparoscopic procedure. Data showed significantly improved control of blood glucose and two subjects eliminated or reduced life-threatening episodes of hypoglycaemic unawareness. In the first subject who was treated and followed for 24 weeks after implant, daily insulin dose was reduced by 25% and hypoglycaemic unawareness was completely eliminated. The next phase of this trial is currently underway in New Zealand.
September 22, 2008
MannKind issued positive results from a phase III trial of their Technosphere Insulin System for the treatment of type I diabetes. This study (009) enrolled 565 subjects with type I diabetes in the United States, Europe and Latin America. The subjects received prandial inhalations of Technosphere Insulin (the TI group) or prandial subcutaneous injections of insulin aspart. Both groups also received daily subcutaneous injections of basal insulin (insulin glargine). The primary objective was to compare the efficacy, as expressed by the change in A1C levels, between the two treatment arms. Over the 52-week study duration, A1C levels decreased comparably in the two treatment groups, with a between-group difference of -0.24%, thus establishing non-inferiority. Comparable A1C target levels were also reached between the two treatment groups. Secondary endpoints were also reached. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels decreased significantly in the TI group compared to the FBG levels observed in the insulin aspart group (p<0.01). In the TI arm, mean FBG had decreased by 48.8 mg/dL at the 52-week time period compared to a decrease of 20.2 mg/dL in the comparator group. There was also a significant difference in weight loss versus weight gain. Subjects receiving TI lost an average of 4.3 pounds over the 52-week treatment period compared to the average gain of 3.0 pounds in the insulin aspart group (p=0.02). The TI group also exhibited significantly lower mean postprandial blood glucose levels (p<0.01) and significantly fewer hypoglycemic events (p<0.02). Based on positive phase III results, MannKind plans to submit an NDA by late 2008 or early 2009.
January 28, 2008
Diamyd Medical issued positive long-term results from a phase IIb trial of Diamyd for the treatment of type I diabetes. This randomized study enrolled seventy pediatric and adolescent subjects in Sweden. The subjects received two single injections of Diamyd or placebo. The primary endpoint was preservation of beta cell function as measured by C-peptide. Thirty months after the first injection, preservation of insulin was significantly higher in subjects receiving Diamyd, both in the fasting state and after meal stimulation, compared with placebo-treated subjects. Diamyd also increased GAD antibody levels at fifteen and twenty one months post-injection. Based on the data, phase III trials are planned.
Indevus reported results from a phase III trial of Nebido for the treatment of hypogonadism. This open label trial enrolled one hundred and thirty male subjects with hypogonadism. The subjects received an initial injection of 750 mg of Nebido, followed four weeks later by an additional 750 mg loading injection and then 750 mg injections every ten weeks thereafter. The primary endpoint was responder analysis, defined as a one who, during steady state, had an average concentration of serum total testosterone (Cavg) within the normal range (300 to 1000 ng/dL). The primary response endpoint was met if at least 75% of patients achieved a Cavg within this normal range. In addition, maximum testosterone (Cmax) levels were evaluated. This endpoint was reached if no subjects exceeded a testosterone concentration of 2500 ng/dL, no more than 5% exceeded a concentration of 1800 ng/dL, and no more than 15% of exceeded a concentration of 1500 ng/dL. Of the one hundred and seventeen subjects who completed the study, 94% had Cavg levels within the normal range. None of these subjects exceeded a testosterone level of either 2500 ng/dL or 1800 ng/dL, and nine (7.7%) had a peak level exceeding 1500 ng/dL. Steady state testosterone pharmacokinetics were achieved within weeks under the new regimen, whereas the 1000 mg regimen reached steady state pharmacokinetics after several months. An NDA is currently under review by the FDA for a 1,000 mg dose of Nebido. Based on the results, Indevus intends to ask for approval of this 750 mg regimen rather than the higher treatment schedule.
April 24, 2006
MannKind announced results of a phase II trial of Technosphere insulin for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Results from the study indicated that the drug was non-inferior to an approved regimen of insulin injection, with both treatments significantly improving HbA1c scores from baseline (0.83% vs. 0.99%, respectively). The mean increase in post-prandial glucose was also non-inferior for Technosphere insulin, and trended towards superiority (18.7 mg/dl vs. 46.8 mg/dl; p=0.09); total post-prandial glucose fluctuation was considerably lower for the inhaled drug (+96.7 mg/dl to -136.2 mg/dl from baseline, total 232.9 mg/dl; vs. +400.6 mg/dl to -182.2 mg/dl, total 582.8 mg/dl). At 12 weeks, there was a significant 1.3 kg difference in mean body weight from baseline (-0.41 kg vs. +0.89 kg; p=0.0018). This controlled study enrolled 110 patients, who received either inhaled Technosphere insulin or an approved regimen of NovoLog (insulin aspart) plus Lantus (insulin glargine) via injection for 12 weeks.
