Linagliptin linked to better blood sugar in black patients with type 2 diabetes

  • Endocrine Today, June 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Black patients with diabetes were more likely to experience significant reductions in HbA1c when using once-daily linagliptin 5-mg tablets, as compared with placebo, according to data presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 21st Scientific and Clinical Congress.

Results from the phase 3 study associated linagliptin with a 0.88% reduction in HbA1c vs. 0.24% for placebo (P=.0002) at 24 weeks in black adult patients with diabetes. Patients in the linagliptin group were also significantly more likely to experience an HbA1c reduction of at least half a percent at the conclusion of the study, and more than half of the patients (55.3%) in the group had a reduction of 0.5% or more, compared with 28.3% in the placebo group (P<.0001).

James Thrasher, MD, FACE

James Thrasher

Of the 226 patients enrolled, 106 were randomly assigned to linagliptin, and 120 to placebo. HbA1c was measured every 6 weeks.

James Thrasher, MD, FACE, researcher and clinician at Arkansas Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, and colleagues said their findings further confirm the efficacy and safety of linagliptin (Tradjenta, Boehringer Ingelheim) for the treatment of all patients with type 2 diabetes, including those in this patient population.

“This is a landmark study for Boehringer Ingelheinm and Eli Lilly, and I hope it opens up more research,” Thrasher told Endocrine Today. “This is a really interesting group to study. It’s not really been done very much with diabetes drugs, but it’s been done with other drugs such as cardiovascular and hypertension drugs.”

Linagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, which does not require dose adjustments despite renal function or hepatic impairment. However, it has not been studied as an adjunct to insulin treatment and is not indicated for use in type 1 diabetes or those experiencing ketoacidosis.

“We found that this drug had clinically significant and clinically relevant reductions in all measured hyperglycemia,” Thrasher concluded. –Samantha Costa

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Disclosure: Dr. Thrasher reports research funding from Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company, and speaker honorarium from both companies.

Perspective
Helena W. Rodbard, MD, FACP

Helena W. Rodard

  • It’s a very good idea to create a study that looks at specific ethnic groups, such African Americans, Hispanics, Asians or Asian Amercians, because patients do respond differently in a variety of different circumstances, not just with regard to diabetes. Asians, for instance, have a very different bone density and different risk factors for osteoporosis. So it is important to look at specific ethnic groups.

    African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. The incidence with diabetes is higher in them than in Caucasians. I think it was a brilliant idea.

    I’d like to see a similar study in Hispanics who are also very much affected by diabetes.

    • Helena W. Rodard, MD, FACP
    • Endocrinologist
      Rockville, Md.
  • Disclosures: Dr. Rodbard reports no relevant financial disclosures.

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