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Linagliptin and Metformin Versus Linagliptin in Newly Diagnosed, Untreated Type 2 Diabetes

A 24-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-controlled, Parallel Group Trial to Assess the Superiority of Oral Linagliptin and Metformin Compared to Linagliptin Monotherapy in Newly Diagnosed, Treatment-naïve, Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01512979
Enrollment
316
Registered
2012-01-20
Start date
2012-01-31
Completion date
2013-04-30
Last updated
2014-05-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Brief summary

The purpose of this trial is to determine whether a initial combination of linagliptin and metformin compared to linagliptin alone for 24 weeks is effective in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Interventions

DRUGmetformin

1000 mg to 2000 mg per day

DRUGlinagliptin

5 mg daily

0 to 2 tablets daily

Sponsors

Eli Lilly and Company
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Boehringer Ingelheim
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients must sign and date an Informed Consent consistent with International Conference on Harmonisation / Good Clinical Practice guidelines and local regulations prior to any evaluation and participation in the trial. 2. Male and female patients, 18 years of age or older at Visit 1 (Screen), with newly diagnosed (less than 12 months prior to Screen) Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 3. Patients who are treatment-naïve, defined as absence of any oral antidiabetic therapy, injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist/analogue, or insulin, and uncontrolled for the 12 weeks prior to randomisation. 4. Patients must have an glycated (or glycosylated) haemoglobin (HbA1c) between 8.5% \[69 millimoles per mole (mmol/mol)\] and 12.0% (108 mmol/mol) at Visit 1 (Screen). 5. Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 45 kg/m2 or less at Visit 1 (Screen). 6. In the investigators opinion, patients must be reliable, honest, compliant, and agree to cooperate with all planned future trial evaluations as explained in detail during the informed consent process and to be able to perform them.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with, who are, who have, or who have had: 1. Acute coronary syndrome (non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), STEMI, and unstable angina pectoris), stroke or transient ischemic attack within 3 months prior to informed consent. 2. Indication of liver disease determined during Screen and/or Run-In Period, defined by a serum level above 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) in any of the following: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, or alkaline phosphatase. Gilbert-Meulengracht syndrome (also known as conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, constitutional hepatic dysfunction, or familial nonhemolytic jaundice) will be permitted. 3. Impaired renal function, defined as calculated creatinine clearance of less than 60 milliliters per minute (\< 60 mL/min), by the Cockcroft-Gault Equation, as determined during Screen and/or Run-In Period. 4. Bariatric, gastric bypass, and other gastrointestinal surgeries (including all types of gastric banding and/or LapBand) within the past two years. 5. Medical history of cancer (except for basal cell carcinoma) and/or treatment for cancer within the last 5 years. 6. Medical history of pancreatitis. 7. Blood dyscrasias or any disorders causing hemolysis or unstable red blood cells (e.g., malaria, babesiosis, haemolytic anaemia). 8. Any contraindication to metformin and/or linagliptin therapies, according to local labels. 9. Treatment with anti-obesity drugs, including over-the-counter drugs such as Alli (orlistat), 3 months prior to informed consent or any other treatment at the time of screening (i.e., surgery, aggressive diet regimen, etc.) leading to unstable body weight. 10. Current treatment with systemic steroids at time of informed consent or change in dosage of thyroid hormones within 6 weeks prior to informed consent or any other uncontrolled endocrine disorder except Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 11. Pre-menopausal women (last menstruation of 1 year or less prior to informed consent) who are nursing or pregnant, are of child-bearing potential and are not practicing an acceptable method of birth control, or do not plan to continue using this method throughout the trial and do not agree to submit to periodic pregnancy testing during participation in the trial. Note: Acceptable methods of birth control include tubal ligation, transdermal patch, intra uterine devices/systems, oral, implantable, intra-vaginal, or injectable contraceptives, Essure micro-inserts placed more than six months prior to Screen Visit, complete sexual abstinence (if acceptable by local authorities), double barrier method (e.g., diaphragm or condom and spermicide), and vasectomised partner. 12. Alcohol or drug abuse within the 3 months prior to informed consent that would interfere with trial participation or any ongoing condition leading to decreased compliance to trial procedures or study medication intake in the opinion of the investigator. 13. Participation in another trial with an investigational drug within 2 months prior to informed consent. 14. Any other clinical condition that would jeopardize patient safety while participating in this clinical trial in the opinion of the Investigator. 15. Inability to commit to regular overnight fasting of at least 10 hours duration and attendance to study site visits between 07:00 and 11:00 ante meridiem (a.m.).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in HbA1c After 24 WeeksBaseline and 24 weeksHbA1c is measured as a percentage. The change from baseline is the Week 24 HbA1c minus the baseline HbA1c. Means are adjusted for treatment and continuous baseline HbA1c

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) After 24 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline and 24 weeksThe change from baseline is the FPG after 24 weeks minus the baseline FPG. Means are adjusted for treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c and continuous baseline fasting plasma glucose.
Change From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeBaseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeksHbA1c is measured as a percentage. The change from baseline is the HbA1c over time minus the baseline HbA1c. The model includes treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c in addition to week repeated within patient, week by baseline HbA1c interaction and week by treatment interaction.
Occurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 0.5% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)Baseline and 24 weeksThe proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c lowering by at least 0.5% after 24 weeks of treatment.The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.
Occurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 1.0% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)Baseline and 24 weeksThe proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c lowering by at least 1.0% after 24 weeks of treatment. The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.
Occurrence of Treat to Target Efficacy Response (HbA1c <7.0%) After 24 Weeks of TreatmentBaseline and 24 weeksThe proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c below 7.0% after 24 weeks of treatment. The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.
Change From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeBaseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeksThe change from baseline is the FPG over time minus the baseline FPG. Means are adjusted for treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c, continuous baseline FPG in addition to week repeated within patient, week by baseline FPG interaction and week by treatment interaction.

Countries

Canada, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Linagliptin 5mg + Metformin
Patients treated with linagliptin 5mg and metformin IR (1500mg to 2000mg total daily dose)
159
Linagliptin 5mg
Patients treated with linagliptin 5mg
157
Total316

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event22
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up25
Overall StudyProtocol Violation14
Overall StudyReason other than stated above139
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject12

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicLinagliptin 5mg + MetforminLinagliptin 5mgTotal
Age, Continuous49.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.9
48.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
48.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11
Baseline HbA1c9.79 percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.19
9.88 percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1
9.83 percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.14
Sex: Female, Male
Female
90 Participants80 Participants170 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
69 Participants77 Participants146 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
39 / 15951 / 157
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 1592 / 157

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline in HbA1c After 24 Weeks

HbA1c is measured as a percentage. The change from baseline is the Week 24 HbA1c minus the baseline HbA1c. Means are adjusted for treatment and continuous baseline HbA1c

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Population: Per Protocol completers cohort (PPCC): All patients randomised, treated with at least 1 dose of study drug, with a baseline HbA1c value without important protocol violations and who completed 24 weeks of treatment, were not treated with rescue medication and have an HbA1c measurement after 24 weeks of treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in HbA1c After 24 Weeks-2.81 percentStandard Error 0.12
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in HbA1c After 24 Weeks-2.02 percentStandard Error 0.13
p-value: <0.000195% CI: [-1.13, -0.46]ANCOVA
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) After 24 Weeks of Treatment

The change from baseline is the FPG after 24 weeks minus the baseline FPG. Means are adjusted for treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c and continuous baseline fasting plasma glucose.

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC (LOCF)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) After 24 Weeks of Treatment-47.1 mg/dLStandard Error 3.8
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) After 24 Weeks of Treatment-30.2 mg/dLStandard Error 4.2
p-value: 0.003295% CI: [-28, -5.7]ANCOVA
Secondary

Change From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over Time

The change from baseline is the FPG over time minus the baseline FPG. Means are adjusted for treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c, continuous baseline FPG in addition to week repeated within patient, week by baseline FPG interaction and week by treatment interaction.

Time frame: Baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC, Observed Cases

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 6-52.3 mg/dLStandard Error 3.37
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 12-54.1 mg/dLStandard Error 3.49
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 24-47.1 mg/dLStandard Error 3.88
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 18-52.4 mg/dLStandard Error 3.2
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 18-35.4 mg/dLStandard Error 3.46
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 6-31.9 mg/dLStandard Error 3.67
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 24-30.1 mg/dLStandard Error 4.16
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in FPG by Visit Over TimeChange to week 12-30.5 mg/dLStandard Error 3.77
Secondary

Change From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over Time

HbA1c is measured as a percentage. The change from baseline is the HbA1c over time minus the baseline HbA1c. The model includes treatment, continuous baseline HbA1c in addition to week repeated within patient, week by baseline HbA1c interaction and week by treatment interaction.

Time frame: Baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC (observed cases)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 6-1.97 percentStandard Error 0.09
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 12-2.69 percentStandard Error 0.11
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 18-2.79 percentStandard Error 0.11
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 24-2.81 percentStandard Error 0.12
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 24-2.01 percentStandard Error 0.13
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 6-1.33 percentStandard Error 0.1
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 18-2.01 percentStandard Error 0.12
Linagliptin 5mgChange From Baseline in HbA1c by Visit Over TimeChange to week 12-1.85 percentStandard Error 0.12
Secondary

Occurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 0.5% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)

The proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c lowering by at least 0.5% after 24 weeks of treatment.The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC. Non-completers considered as failures.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminOccurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 0.5% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)124 participants
Linagliptin 5mgOccurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 0.5% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)92 participants
p-value: 0.003195% CI: [1.573, 9.328]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Occurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 1.0% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)

The proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c lowering by at least 1.0% after 24 weeks of treatment. The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC. Non-completers considered as failures.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminOccurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 1.0% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)116 participants
Linagliptin 5mgOccurrence of Relative Efficacy Response (HbA1c Lowering by at Least 1.0% After 24 Weeks of Treatment)82 participants
p-value: 0.002595% CI: [1.458, 5.849]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Occurrence of Treat to Target Efficacy Response (HbA1c <7.0%) After 24 Weeks of Treatment

The proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c below 7.0% after 24 weeks of treatment. The model includes treatment, and continuous baseline HbA1c.

Time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks

Population: Patients from PPCC. Non-completers considered as failures.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Linagliptin 5mg + MetforminOccurrence of Treat to Target Efficacy Response (HbA1c <7.0%) After 24 Weeks of Treatment81 participants
Linagliptin 5mgOccurrence of Treat to Target Efficacy Response (HbA1c <7.0%) After 24 Weeks of Treatment45 participants
p-value: 0.000895% CI: [1.453, 4.123]Regression, Logistic

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 1, 2026