Saxagliptin + Metformin Compared to Saxagliptin or Metformin Monotherapy in PCOS Women With Impaired Glucose Homeostasis

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The objective of the present proposal is to compare the clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of therapy with combination saxagliptin and metformin to saxagliptin and metformin monotherapy in women with PCOS and prediabetic hyperglycemia (IFG, IGT or IFG/IGT). Saxagliptin is an oral dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor whose mechanism of action is to prolong the duration of blood glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels by inhibiting their degradation and thereby augmenting insulin secretion. This study will serve as a pilot investigation to open perspectives for future studies to explore the potential of combining anti-diabetic drugs with different mechanisms of action in in patients with PCOS and impaired glucose regulation (IGR), especially ones for whom standard treatment with metformin is less effective.
ConditionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
Disorder of Glucose Regulation
InterventionDrug: Metformin XR
Drug: Saxagliptin
Drug: Saxagliptin-Metformin XR
PhasePhase 3
SponsorBC Women's Hospital & Health Centre
Responsible PartyBC Women's Hospital & Health Centre
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT02022007
First ReceivedDecember 17, 2013
Last UpdatedMarch 12, 2014
Last verifiedMarch 2014

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateDecember 17, 2013
Last Updated DateMarch 12, 2014
Start DateMarch 2014
Estimated Primary Completion DateFebruary 2016
Current Primary Outcome Measures
  • Fasting and 2 hour glucose levels after glucose load [Time Frame: Change from baseline to 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]Correcting glucose control as evaluated by fasting and 2 hour glucose levels after an OGTT
  • ß-cell compensatory function [Time Frame: Change from baseline to 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]Improving ß-cell compensatory function by enhancing insulin release after an oral glucose load and thus improve or delay a decline in glucose tolerance estimated by the disposition index defined as the product of insulin action (Matsuda index) and insulin secretion (insulinogenic index) derived from the OGTT (SIOGTT x Δinsulin30-0 min to glucose30-0 min).
  • Surrogate measures of insulin sensitivity and secretion [Time Frame: Change from baseline to 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]Improving markers of insulin sensitivity and secretion after an oral glucose load as measured by the Matsuda index and early insulin response adjusted for insulin sensitivity (insulinogenic index/HOMA-IR).
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Cardiometabolic risk factors [Time Frame: Change from baseline to 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]We will further examine whether addition of saxagliptin therapy to metformin is more beneficial than either drug alone in altering the development or progression of select cardiometabolic risk factors as measured by changes in lipids and blood pressure
  • Free androgen index [Time Frame: Change in baseline to 16 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]We will further examine whether the administration of combined metformin and saxagliptin therapy is more beneficial than saxagliptin or metformin alone in improving hyperandrogenism as measured by improvements in total testosterone and/or SHBG

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleSaxagliptin + Metformin Compared to Saxagliptin or Metformin Monotherapy in PCOS Women With Impaired Glucose Homeostasis
Official TitleMetabolic and Endocrine Effects of Combination of Metformin and DPP4 Inhibitor Saxagliptin Compared to Saxagliptin or Metformin XR Monotherapy in Patients With PCOS and Impaired Glucose Regulation: A Single-blinded Randomized Pilot Study
Brief Summary
The objective of the present proposal is to compare the clinical, endocrine and metabolic
effects of therapy with combination saxagliptin and metformin to saxagliptin and metformin
monotherapy in women with PCOS and prediabetic hyperglycemia (IFG, IGT or IFG/IGT).
Saxagliptin is an oral dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor whose mechanism of action
is to prolong the duration of blood glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent
insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels by inhibiting their degradation and thereby
augmenting insulin secretion. This study will serve as a pilot investigation to open
perspectives for future studies to explore the potential of combining anti-diabetic drugs
with different mechanisms of action in in patients with PCOS and impaired glucose regulation
(IGR), especially ones for whom standard treatment with metformin is less effective.
Detailed Description
A major change in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was initiated by the
understanding that many women with this disorder compensate insulin resistance with a period
of hypersecretion of insulin by the pancreatic ß-cell. In addition, women with PCOS have
significantly higher basal insulin secretory rates, reduced insulin clearance rates, and
attenuated secretory responses to meals. The decreased postprandial response in these
patients resembles the ß-cell dysfunction of type 2 diabetes (DM2) and may account for the
increased incidence of impaired glucose tolerance in this population. Current research has
shown that the use of diabetes management practices aimed at reducing insulin resistance and
hyperinsulinemia (such as weight reduction and the administration of oral antidiabetic
drugs) in women with PCOS can not only improve glucose and lipid metabolism but can also
reverse testosterone abnormalities and restore menstrual cycles.

The optimal modality for long-term treatment of PCOS should positively influence androgen
synthesis, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) production, the lipid profile, insulin
sensitivity, and clinical symptoms including hirsutism and irregular menstrual cycles.
Improvement of insulin sensitivity may reverse some of the demand on the ß-cell and promote
improvement in glucose tolerance. However, while insulin resistance plays a key role in the
predisposition to diabetes in PCOS; defects in insulin secretion also appear to contribute
to its development. Preferably therapy for women with PCOS should also produce no weight
gain, hypoglycemia, or other limiting or unmanageable side effects as well as preserve or
enhance ß-cell function.

Presently, in the literature, there are described new, more efficient methods of diabetes
prevention in groups with a high risk of this disorder, which involve both, lifestyle
modification and pharmacological therapies. Lifestyle intervention was found to reduce the
incidence of type 2 diabetes by 58% and metformin by 31% as compared with placebo. The use
of rosiglitazone in subjects with prediabetes resulted in a 60% reduction of the diabetes
incidence rate. Whether pharmacological therapy should be prescribed for diabetes
prevention is an open question given that waiting to add drug therapy until diabetes
develops can arrest β-cell decline, albeit at a lower level of β-cell function than when
medications are used for prevention. Studies are needed for optimal postpartum and
long-term health of women who have had GDM. Considerable recent evidence suggests that
incretin-based therapies may be useful for the prevention of DM2. Whereas native GLP-1 has
a very short half-life, continuous infusion of GLP-1 improves first and second-phase insulin
secretion suggesting that early GLP-1 therapy may preserve ß-cell function in subjects with
IGT or mild DM2. Incretin mimetics and inhibitors of the protease dipeptidyl peptidase
(DPP)-4 use the anti-diabetic properties of the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide
(GLP)-1 hormone to augment glucose-induced insulin secretion in a highly glucose-dependent
manner, thus preventing GLP-1 alone from provoking hypoglycemia. Additional beneficial
effects of GLP-1 on endocrine pancreatic islets are that it 1) supports the synthesis of
proinsulin to replenish insulin stores in β-cells; 2) reduces the rate of β-cell apoptosis
when islets are incubated in a toxic environment (glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity, cytotoxic
cytokines); and 3) promotes differentiation of precursor cells with the ability to develop
into β-cells and proliferation of β-cell lines, and in whole animals (rodent studies), this
leads to an increased β-cell mass within a few days or weeks. Furthermore, GLP-1 can lower
glucagon concentrations, i.e., induce α-cells to respond again to the inhibitory action of
hyperglycemia, while leaving the counterregulatory glucagon responses undisturbed, as in the
case of hypoglycemia. Additional activities of GLP-1 are the deceleration of gastric
emptying, which slows the entry of nutrients into the circulation after meals, a reduction
in appetite, and earlier induction of satiety, leading to weight reduction with chronic
exposure. Inhibition of DPP-4 increases the concentration of GLP-1 and may potentially
delay disease progression in prediabetes considering the β-cell function improvement in DM2
and β-cell mass shown to increase in animal models. The objective of the present proposal
is to compare the clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of therapy with combination
saxagliptin and metformin to saxagliptin and metformin monotherapy in women with PCOS and
prediabetic hyperglycemia (IFG, IGT or IFG/IGT). Since aberrant first-phase insulin
secretion and impaired suppression of endogenous glucose production are major contributors
to postprandial hyperglycemia and development of DM2, the effects of saxagliptin to target
these defects, and normalize glucose excursions are likely to be clinically significant in
patients with PCOS and impaired glucose regulation. This study will evaluate the impact of
treatment with combination of metformin and saxagliptin (Kombiglyze XR) compared to
saxagliptin (Onglyza) or metformin XR (Glucophage XR) monotherapy over a 16-week period on
glycemia and insulin action (fasting, 2 hour, and mean stimulated glucose levels, insulin
sensitivity and secretion), hyperandrogenism (total T, DHEAS, SHBG and calculated free
androgen index [FAI]), cardiometabolic markers (lipid profile, blood pressure), and
anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist: hip ratio, absolute weight) in patients with PCOS
and prediabetic hyperglycemia
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 3
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment
Condition
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Disorder of Glucose Regulation
InterventionDrug: Metformin XR
Start 2 pills (2 pills of 500 mg =1000mg XR) for 3 weeks
Increase to 4 pills as tolerated (4 pills of 500 mg XR =2000 mg XR) for remainder of study
Other Names:
  • Glucophage XR
  • Biguanide-insulin sensitizer
Drug: Saxagliptin
Start 1 pill (5 mg)) for 3 weeks
Remain at 1 pill (5mg dose) for remainder of study
Other Names:
  • Onglyza
  • DPP-4 inhibitor
Drug: Saxagliptin-Metformin XR
Start 1 pill (2.5 mg/ 1000mg XR) for 3 weeks
Increase to 2 pills as tolerated (5mg/2000 mg XR) for remainder of study
Other Names:
  • Kombiglyze XR
  • Combination DPP-4 inhibitor and Glucophage XR
Study Arm (s)
  • Active Comparator: Metformin XR
    Metformin 2000 mg QD for 16 weeks
  • Active Comparator: Saxagliptin
    Saxagliptin 5 mg QD for 16 weeks
  • Experimental: Saxagliptin-Metformin XR
    Saxagliptin-Metformin XR (combination pill)
    5mg Saxagliptin/2000 mg Metformin XR QD for 16 weeks

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment36
Estimated Completion DateFebruary 2016
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2015
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Females 18 years to 42 years of age with PCOS (NIH criteria) with prediabetic
hyperglycemia determined by an 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Study
subjects will be inclusive of PCOS women with impaired fasting glucose (IFG),
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or both (IFG/IGT).

- Written consent for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

- Presence of significant systemic disease, heart problems including congestive heart
failure, history of pancreatitis, or diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or 2)

- Any hepatic diseases in the past (viral hepatitis, toxic hepatic damage, jaundice of
unknown etiology), gallstones, abnormal liver function tests or renal impairment
(elevated serum creatinine levels or abnormal creatinine clearance)

- Uncontrolled thyroid disease (documented normal TSH), Cushing's syndrome, congenital
adrenal hyperplasia or hyperprolactinemia

- Significantly elevated triglyceride levels (fasting triglyceride > 400 mg %)

- Untreated or poorly controlled hypertension (sitting blood pressure > 160/95 mm Hg)

- Use of hormonal medications, drugs known to affect gastrointestinal motility,
lipid-lowering (statins, etc.) and/or anti-obesity drugs or medications that
interfere with carbohydrate metabolism (such as isotretinoin, hormonal
contraceptives, GnRH analogues, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, C-19 progestins)
for at least 8 weeks. Use of anti-androgens that act peripherally to reduce hirsutism
such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride, spironolactone, flutamide) for at
least 4 weeks

- Prior history of a malignant disease requiring chemotherapy

- Known hypersensitivity or contraindications to use of insulin sensitizers such as
metformin or thiazolidinediones

- History of hypersensitivity reaction to saxagliptin or other DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g.
anaphylaxis, angioedema, exfoliative skin conditions)

- Current use of metformin, thiazolidinediones, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4
inhibitors, or weight loss medications (prescription or OTC) Patients must stop use
of insulin sensitizers or antidiabetic medicines such as metformin for at least 4
weeks or thiazolidinediones, GLP1 agonists or DPPIV inhibitors for 8 weeks.

- Prior use of medication to treat diabetes except gestational diabetes

- Use of drugs known to exacerbate glucose tolerance

- Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia) or gastrointestinal disorders

- Suspected pregnancy (documented negative serum ßhCG test), desiring pregnancy during
the study treatment interval, breastfeeding, or known pregnancy in last 2 months

- Active or prior history of substance abuse (smoke or tobacco use within past 3 years)
or significant intake of alcohol or history of alcoholism

- Patient not willing to use adequate barrier contraception during study period (unless
sterilized or have an IUD).

- Debilitating psychiatric disorder such as psychosis or neurological condition that
might confound outcome variables

- Inability or refusal to comply with protocol

- Not currently participating or having participated in an experimental drug study in
previous three months
GenderFemale
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsContact: Karen Elkind-Hirsch, Ph.D.
225-231-5278
karen.elkind-hirsch@womans.org
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT02022007
Other Study ID NumbersRP13-013
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByBC Women's Hospital & Health Centre
Study SponsorBC Women's Hospital & Health Centre
CollaboratorsBristol-Myers-Squibb/Astra-Zeneca
Investigators Principal Investigator: Karen Elkind-Hirsch, Ph.D. Woman's Hospital
Verification DateMarch 2014

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Woman's Hospital
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70817
Principal Investigator: Karen Elkind-Hirsch, MSc.,Ph.D.
Recruiting