FLuctuATion Reduction With inSULin and Glp-1 Added togetheR (FLAT-SUGAR)

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Results of recent studies using standard long and short acting insulin therapy (Basal - Bolus or BBI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not shown benefits to lower risks for heart attacks, strokes, or eye, nerve and kidney problems. Some studies also show a long time between the start of treatment and signs of benefit. This has led to a review of current ways to normalize blood glucose control with basal bolus insulin and how to make blood glucose better. Improving blood sugar with insulin therapy usually causes weight gain, more high sugar levels after meals, and more low blood sugars. Early studies suggest that when people take long-acting insulin and metformin, they have fewer blood sugar extremes when they also take a new type of medicine called glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist named exenatide (Byetta), instead of meal-time insulin. This means there might be a better way to treat Type 2 diabetes. Participants are asked to take part in an eight month study to find out if middle-aged and older people with Type 2 diabetes who have added risk factors for heart disease can even out their blood sugar levels. They will start on long-acting insulin, mealtime insulin, and metformin, if they are not already on these medications. Their kidney function tests must be normal and they must not be allergic to metformin. Then, after a 2 month run-in phase, they must be willing to be assigned by chance into one of two groups. This means that they will have a 50/50 chance (like flipping a coin) of being in either group. Half of them will be started on the new medicine known as Byetta rather than the meal-time insulin and the other half will remain on the meal-time insulin during the next 6 months (26 weeks) to see which group has more steady blood sugars. They will be asked to use a continuous blood sugar monitoring system called DexCom. A sensor is inserted under the skin in the same areas the insulin is injected. The DexCom can check their blood sugars 24 hours of the day and night and will be worn until 7 days of recordings are collected. In the same 7 day period, they will also be asked to wear a Holter or Telemetry monitor that will record their heart beats and rhythm which will be compared to the blood sugar readings. They will also use home glucose meters to check their glucose levels about 3 to 4 times a day. The study will take place at 12 centers in the United States and enroll about 120-130 people.
ConditionType 2 Diabetes
InterventionDrug: "GLIPULIN:" [insulin glargine, metformin, exenatide (GLP-1-agonist)]
Drug: Insulin glargine, metformin, prandial insulin
PhasePhase 4
SponsorUniversity of Washington
Responsible PartyUniversity of Washington
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01524705
First ReceivedJanuary 17, 2012
Last UpdatedApril 1, 2014
Last verifiedApril 2014

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateJanuary 17, 2012
Last Updated DateApril 1, 2014
Start DateAugust 2012
Estimated Primary Completion DateJuly 2014
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresThe change in the coefficient of variation of continuous glucose readings, as assessed by CGM. [Time Frame: At baseline, 3 and 6 mo of intervention] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresThe secondary trial goal will be to evaluate the frequency of hypoglycemia in the two interventional arms. [Time Frame: 10 days, 4, 11, 13, 19, 24 and 26 wks] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]Severe Hypoglycemia-documented glucose <50mg/dl (participant journal), and hypoglycemic attacks requiring hospitalization, or treatment by emergency personnel.
Possible side effects to Metformin, Insulin(either short or long acting)and Exenatide

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleFLuctuATion Reduction With inSULin and Glp-1 Added togetheR (FLAT-SUGAR)
Official TitleFLAT-SUGAR: FLuctuATion Reduction With inSULin and Glp-1 Added togetheR
Brief Summary
Results of recent studies using standard long and short acting insulin therapy (Basal -
Bolus or BBI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not shown benefits to lower risks for
heart attacks, strokes, or eye, nerve and kidney problems. Some studies also show a long
time between the start of treatment and signs of benefit. This has led to a review of
current ways to normalize blood glucose control with basal bolus insulin and how to make
blood glucose better. Improving blood sugar with insulin therapy usually causes weight
gain, more high sugar levels after meals, and more low blood sugars. Early studies suggest
that when people take long-acting insulin and metformin, they have fewer blood sugar
extremes when they also take a new type of medicine called glucagon-like polypeptide-1
(GLP-1) agonist named exenatide (Byetta), instead of meal-time insulin. This means there
might be a better way to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Participants are asked to take part in an eight month study to find out if middle-aged and
older people with Type 2 diabetes who have added risk factors for heart disease can even out
their blood sugar levels. They will start on long-acting insulin, mealtime insulin, and
metformin, if they are not already on these medications. Their kidney function tests must be
normal and they must not be allergic to metformin. Then, after a 2 month run-in phase, they
must be willing to be assigned by chance into one of two groups. This means that they will
have a 50/50 chance (like flipping a coin) of being in either group. Half of them will be
started on the new medicine known as Byetta rather than the meal-time insulin and the other
half will remain on the meal-time insulin during the next 6 months (26 weeks) to see which
group has more steady blood sugars. They will be asked to use a continuous blood sugar
monitoring system called DexCom. A sensor is inserted under the skin in the same areas the
insulin is injected. The DexCom can check their blood sugars 24 hours of the day and night
and will be worn until 7 days of recordings are collected. In the same 7 day period, they
will also be asked to wear a Holter or Telemetry monitor that will record their heart beats
and rhythm which will be compared to the blood sugar readings. They will also use home
glucose meters to check their glucose levels about 3 to 4 times a day. The study will take
place at 12 centers in the United States and enroll about 120-130 people.
Detailed Description
Recent medical endpoint studies employing conventional basal bolus insulin therapy (BBI) in
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been disappointing, showing either inconsistent or no
effect of treatments on risks for micro- or macro-vascular events, or a long interval
between treatment initiation and evidence of clinical benefit. In fact, one trial has
suggested that treating glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) to lower targets may even lead to
harm. This has raised the possibility that more aggressive glucose lowering approaches lead
to harm that overwhelms benefit in those with T2DM. Potential explanations for these
results include three closely related physiologic processes: glycemic variability, weight
gain and hypoglycemia. Too much variability of glucose, especially post-prandial
hyperglycemia, poses the dilemma of how to achieve near-normal mean glucose and HbA1C levels
without causing insulin-induced hypoglycemia and/or weight gain. All three of these
processes have been linked to worsening systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and to
increased renal and cardiovascular risks.

Fortunately, new tools are available that allow us to assess the severity of glycemic
variability (continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM), and to investigate the mechanisms
through which it may lead to cardiovascular risk (e.g., systemic inflammation and oxidative
stress, sensitive measures of diabetic renal disease, and Holter or Telemetry monitoring for
hypoglycemia-induced arrhythmias). In addition, preliminary studies have suggested that
replacement of rapid-acting analogue (RAA) in traditional BBI with the glucagon-like
polypeptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, exenatide, may substantially reduce glycemic variability
without a strong tendency to increase body weight or hypoglycemia.

This research trial, "FLuctuATion reduction with inSUlin and Glp-1 Added togetheR
(FLAT-SUGAR)", by using these new methods to optimize glycemic control while limiting
unwanted adverse effects, will be a definitive comparative effectiveness trial. This trial
is designed to address the following primary hypothesis:

In middle aged and older individuals with T2DM and additional risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, and on a background therapy of basal insulin (insulin glargine) and
metformin, the addition of the GLP-1 analogue, exenatide, reduces glycemic variability more
than the addition of a rapid-acting-analogue (RAA) (insulin aspart, insulin glulisine or
insulin lispro) during an active treatment period of 26 weeks.

The primary outcome measure will be the change in the coefficient of variation of continuous
glucose readings, as assessed by CGM. Importantly, FLAT-SUGAR will plan, a priori, to
assess glycemic variability using CGM. Secondary trial goals will be to explore potential
between-group differences in complications that may result from glycemic variability,
including hypoglycemia, systemic inflammation and oxidant stress, diabetic renal disease,
weight gain and cardiac arrhythmias. If, as we expect, FLAT-SUGAR demonstrates that CGM
provides objective verification of reduced glycemic variability in T2DM with the new GLP-1
agonist-based regimen, the main goal of the trial will be accomplished. If reduced
variability is associated with lower risks of adverse events of inflammation, albuminuria
progression, weight gain, hypoglycemia, and/or cardiac arrhythmia, a long term clinical
comparative effectiveness trial powered to evaluate medical outcomes will be justified.

In order to conduct FLAT-SUGAR, a randomized, controlled, multicenter, open-label
investigator-initiated trial, the primary funding is supported by Sanofi-Aventis US with
donations of other medications and devices by several other companies. The
Sponsor-Investigator is the University of Washington, which will also be the Operation
Center (OC).The Data Center (DC) is the University of Texas at Houston School of Public
Health. There will be 12 clinical sites with diabetes and CGM expertise to screen and enroll
qualified participants for approximately 8-10 weeks of a run-in period, then ultimately
randomize, and follow 120 total participants for an active treatment period of 26 weeks.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 4
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionType 2 Diabetes
InterventionDrug: "GLIPULIN:" [insulin glargine, metformin, exenatide (GLP-1-agonist)]
Glargine-injectable, variable, QD, 6 months Metformin-oral, up to 1000mg, BID, 6 months Exenatide-injectable, 5mcg, BID, 6 months
Other Names:
Glipulin is a short name that has been given to the combination of glargine, metformin and exenatide (a GLP1 agonist). Combination used previously.Drug: Insulin glargine, metformin, prandial insulin
Approximately 60 type 2 DM participants will be instructed in AHA/ADA meal plan. Insulin Glargine, metformin and one of 3 prandial insulins will be used as combination strategy to control individual HBA1Cs between 6.7 and 7.3%. Prandial Insulins (aspart, glulisine or lispro)
Other Names:
  • Insulin Glargine
  • Metformin
  • One Prandial Insulin (aspart or glulisine or lispro)
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: Insulin Glargine, metformin, exenatide
    Approximately 60 Type 2 DM participants will be instructed on an AHA/ADA meal plan. Insulin Glargine, metformin and exenatide will used as a combination strategy to control individual HBA1Cs between 6.7 and 7.3% throughout the trial.
  • Active Comparator: glargine, metformin, prandial insulin
    Approximately 60 type 2 DM participants will be instructed in AHA/ADA meal plan. Insulin Glargine, metformin and one of 3 prandial insulins will be used as combination strategy to control individual HBA1Cs between 6.7 and 7.3%. Prandial Insulins (aspart, glulisine or lispro)

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusActive, not recruiting
Estimated Enrollment102
Estimated Completion DateJuly 2014
Estimated Primary Completion DateJuly 2014
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. T2DM for >12 months defined according to current ADA criteria

2. C-peptide >0.5 ng/mL-after informed consent has been signed, samples will be drawn
fasting and sent to a central lab

3. Participants must be on insulin therapy. Diabetes, Blood Pressure & Lipid therapy
must be stable (in both dose and agent) for ≥3 months (dose of any 1 drug has not
changed by more than 2-fold, & new agents not been added within the previous 3
months)

4. HbA1c 7.5-8.5% for enrollment

5. Age at enrollment (screening): 40-75 years (inclusive) when there is a history of
cardiovascular disease (defined in 'a'), or 55 to 75 years (inclusive) when there is
not a history of cardiovascular disease but 2 or more risk factors (with or without
treatment) are present (defined in 'b')

a) Established cardiovascular disease defined as presence of one of the following: i.
Previous myocardial infarction (MI). (most recent must be > 3 months prior
enrollment) ii. Previous stroke. (most recent must be >3 months prior enrollment)
iii. History of coronary revascularization (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft
surgery, stent placement, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or laser
atherectomy)(most recent must be > 3 months prior enrollment) iv. History of carotid
or peripheral revascularization (e.g., carotid endarterectomy, lower extremity
atherosclerotic disease atherectomy, repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, femoral or
popliteal bypass). (most recent must be >3 months prior enrollment) v. Angina with
either ischemic changes on a resting ECG, or ECG changes on a graded exercise test
(GXT), or positive cardiac imaging study vi. Ankle/brachial index <0.9 vii. LVH with
strain by ECG or ECHO viii. >50% stenosis of a coronary, carotid, renal or lower
extremity artery. ix. Urine albumin to urine creatinine ratio of >30 mg albumin/g
creatinine in 2 samples, separated by at least 7 days, within past 12 months) [Target
of 50% of study cohort] or b) Increased CVD risk defined as presence of 2 or more of
the following: i. Untreated LDL-C >130 mg/dL or on lipid treatment ii. Low HDL-C (<40
mg/dL for men and <50 mg/dL for women) iii. Untreated systolic BP >140 mm Hg, or on
antihypertensive treatment iv. Current cigarette smoking v. Body mass index 25-45
(Asian populations 23-45) kg/m2

6. No expectation that participant will move out of clinical center area during the next
8 months, unless move will be to an area served by another trial center

7. Ability to speak & read English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The presence of a physical disability, significant medical or psychiatric disorder;
substance abuse or use of a medication that in the judgment of the investigator will
affect the use of CGM, wearing of the sensors, Holter or Telemetry monitor, complex
medication regimen, or completion of any aspect of the protocol

2. Cannot have had any cardiovascular event or interventional procedure, (MI, Stroke or
revascularization) or been hospitalized for unstable angina within the last 3 months

3. Inability or unwillingness to discontinue use of acetaminophen products during CGM
use

4. Inability or unwillingness to discontinue use of all other diabetes agents other than
insulin & metformin during trial (including insulin pump participants who will need
to convert to BBI)

5. Intolerance of metformin dose <500 mg/day

6. Inability or unwillingness to perform blood glucose testing a minimum of 3 times/per
day

7. Creatinine level ≥1.5 for males or 1.4 for females

8. ALT level ≥ 3 times upper limit of normal

9. Current symptomatic heart failure, history of NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart
failure at any time, or ejection fraction (by any method) < 25%

10. Inpatient psychiatric treatment in the past 6 months

11. Currently participating in an intervention trial

12. Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as collagen vascular diseases or inflammatory
bowel disease

13. History of pancreatitis

14. BMI >45kg/m2

15. For females, pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the next 7 months
GenderBoth
Ages40 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT01524705
Other Study ID Numbers42178-E/G
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByUniversity of Washington
Study SponsorUniversity of Washington
CollaboratorsEli Lilly and Company
Sanofi
Bristol-Myers-Squibb/Astra-Zeneca
DexCom, Inc.
Bayer
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Medicomp
University of Texas
Department of Veterans Affairs
Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico
Investigators Principal Investigator: Jeffrey L Probstfield, MD Professor of Medicine, University of Washington
Verification DateApril 2014

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

So Calif. Permanente Medical Group
San Diego, California, United States, 92109
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
Atlanta Diabetes Associates
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30309
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
International Diabetes Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55416
Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
Kaledia Health of Western New York
Buffalo, New York, United States, 14209
Diabetes Care Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27713
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States, 97239
University of Vermont
Colchester, Vermont, United States, 05446
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98105
Washington State University Spokane, College of Pharmacy Spokane WA 99202 USA
Spokane, Washington, United States, 99202