Weekly insulin shot may revolutionize treatment for Type 2 diabetes

Weekly insulin shot may revolutionize treatment for Type 2 diabetes

Breakthrough Once-Weekly Insulin Shot could Revolutionize Diabetes Treatment

People with type 2 diabetes could soon have access to a convenient once-a-week insulin shot that could replace the daily injections now required. A once-weekly insulin formulation called icodec has shown promising results, performing just as well as daily doses of the insulin degludec, according to phase 3 clinical trial results [^1^]. With these encouraging findings, icodec awaits approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, potentially becoming a game changer in diabetes management.

The Challenges of Daily Insulin Injections

Around 37 million Americans, approximately 1 in 10, live with diabetes, with type 2 diabetes accounting for about 95% of cases [^1^]. For those individuals, managing blood sugar levels often involves daily insulin injections, which can be a significant burden. The inconvenience and complexity of daily shots can result in a delay of three to five years before starting insulin treatment, leading to an increased risk of long-term complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, vision loss, and amputations [^1^].

Icodec: A Once-Weekly Insulin Breakthrough

Icodec, developed as a weekly insulin, offers a revolutionary approach to diabetes management. When injected, it adheres to albumin, a protein in the blood, and releases at a constant pace throughout the week [^1^]. This time-release mechanism creates a depot of inactive insulin that steadily performs its job. In a phase 3 trial, 564 individuals with type 2 diabetes participated, with half receiving once-weekly icodec injections and the other half receiving daily injections of degludec [^1^].

Promising Results and Potential Benefits

The trial demonstrated that both groups experienced comparable improvements in blood glucose levels, with the icodec group showing slightly better results after 26 weeks of treatment [^1^]. Furthermore, icodec’s effectiveness suggests its potential to increase adherence among individuals living with diabetes. Though some patients in the icodec group experienced a higher risk of low blood sugar, the episodes were not severe and did not require emergency medical attention [^1^].

Dr. Ildiko Lingvay, lead researcher and endocrinologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, anticipates the FDA’s response to the trial results by the end of the year [^1^]. If approved, icodec could be available as early as next year. Dr. Robert Gabbay, the American Diabetes Association’s chief scientific and medical officer, believes icodec could provide a less burdensome option for diabetics, potentially improving diabetes management and adherence [^1^].

• 988 One Year Later – Assessing Its Impact
• New competitor for fluoride toothpaste
• Avoid UTIs This Summer

Transforming Diabetes Treatment and Patient Experience

The introduction of a once-weekly insulin injection could significantly enhance the treatment experience for individuals with diabetes. It would be especially beneficial for older adults living at home, as a nurse would only need to administer the injection once a week [^1^]. Additionally, teenagers who struggle with consistent insulin shots due to other distractions may benefit from this convenient treatment option. Lingvay highlights that the anticipation for this development is palpable among patients who participated in the clinical trial [^1^]. They were extremely positive about their experience with icodec and found it disappointing to switch back to daily insulin injections afterward.

SLIDESHOW: Type 2 Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments [^1^]

Looking Ahead

As the clinical trial results were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it has brought hope to millions of people living with type 2 diabetes [^1^]. The positive outcomes of the icodec trial combined with its potential to improve adherence and simplify treatment administration make it an encouraging breakthrough. If approved, this once-weekly insulin injection could transform the lives of countless individuals with type 2 diabetes, helping them better manage their condition and reduce the risk of long-term complications. The prospect of a more convenient and effective treatment option is truly exciting, and the diabetes community eagerly awaits the FDA’s decision.

Sources:

[^1^] Dennis Thompson. (2023, July 12). Once-Weekly Insulin Shot Works Just as Well as Daily Version.