A double-masked placebo-controlled trial assessing effects of various doses of BTS 67,582, a novel insulinotropic agent, on fasting hyperglycemia in NIDDM patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect over a 4-week period of varying doses of BTS 67,582, a novel nonsulfonylurea insulinotropic agent, on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in sulfonylurea-responsive NIDDM patients.

METHODS

This was a 12-week multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Patients entered a 4-week stabilization period during which they received their previously prescribed sulfonylurea. Qualified patients (FPG < or = 10 mmol/l) then entered a 4-week sulfonylurea withdrawal single-masked placebo run-in period. Qualified patients (FPG 8.9-16.7 mmol/l) were randomized to either placebo (n = 14), 50 mg b.i.d. BTS 67,582 (n = 18), 250 mg b.i.d. BTS 67,582 (n = 18), 500 mg b.i.d. BTS 67,582 (n = 15), 100 mg q.d. BTS 67,582 (n = 17), or 500 mg q.d. BTS 67,582 (n = 16). The primary efficacy variables were mean changes from baseline in FPG and fructosamine (FRUC). Additional variables included mean changes from baseline in HbA1c, fasting serum insulin (FSI), and fasting serum C-peptide.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment, all BTS 67,582 dose groups showed a decrease from baseline in FPG and FRUC compared with the placebo group. The treatment groups of 250 mg b.i.d. (-3.1 +/- 0.7 mmol/l), 500 mg b.i.d. (-2.3 +/- 0.6 mmol/l), and 500 mg q.d. (-1.2 +/- 0.7 mmol/l) had statistically significant (P < 0.05) decreases in FPG compared with placebo (0.7 +/- 0.6 mmol/l). Similarly, there were statistically significant (P < 0.05) decreases from baseline in FRUC for the 250 mg b.i.d (-55 +/- 10 mumol/l), 500 mg b.i.d. (-40 +/- 12 mumol/l), and 500 mg q.d. (-13 +/- 9 mumol/l) treatment groups compared with placebo (15 +/- 11 mumol/l). Although the treatment period was only 4 weeks in duration, there were also significant differences (P < 0.05) in the HbA1c changes from baseline for the 250 mg b.i.d. (0.0 +/- 0.1%) and 500 mg b.i.d. (-0.2 +/- 0.1%) treatment groups compared with placebo (0.6 +/- 0.2%). There were no significant differences among the treatment groups in the changes from baseline for FSI or C-peptide levels. The most frequently reported side effects were headache, asthenia, infection, and thirst, and the incidence of these events as well as the incidence of study drug discontinuation was comparable in all treatment groups including placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Four weeks of treatment with BTS 67,582 at doses of 250 mg b.i.d. and 500 mg b.i.d. in NIDDM patients was effective in reducing FPG and FRUC, with significant results also seen for HbA1c. The drug was well tolerated with an incidence of discontinuations and laboratory side-effect safety profiles comparable to placebo. BTS 67,582 is a safe and effective oral treatment for NIDDM patients.