Liraglutide preserved insulin secretion in adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: the NewLira trial

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulates insulin secretion in adults with type 1 diabetes and residual beta-cell function. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 52-week trial evaluated the efficacy of liraglutide 1.8 mg QD added to insulin treatment in adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within 6 weeks prior to screening. At randomization, at end-of-treatment (week 52) and at follow-up (week 58), a 240-min. liquid mixed meal test (237 kcal Nestlé BOOST) was conducted to evaluate the C-peptide response. In total, 65 adults (age 18-40 years) with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, stimulated C-peptide ≥200 pmol/L and BMI >20 kg/m2 were randomized (1:1) to liraglutide or placebo added to insulin treatment. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (mean±SD) age 27±5 years, fasting C-peptide 359±226 pM and diabetes duration 4.4±1.2 weeks. At end-of-treatment, liraglutide sustained stimulated C-peptide secretion and reduced insulin dose compared with placebo (Table). At 6 weeks post-treatment, stimulated C-peptide levels and total insulin dose did not differ between the groups. No difference was found between groups in HbA1c or BMI (Table). No events of severe hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis were reported. In conclusion, liraglutide preserved postprandial insulin secretion one year after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. The effects had disappeared 6 weeks post-treatment. Disclosure T.F. Dejgaard: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. C.S. Frandsen: None. U. Kielgast: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi. H.U. Andersen: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Nordic Infucare. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. B. Thorsteinsson: None. T. Krarup: None. J.J. Holst: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S. Madsbad: None. Funding Novo Nordisk