OBJECTIVE -This study evaluated the ability of the incretin mimetic exenatide (exendin-4) to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes failing maximally effective doses of a sulfonylurea as monotherapy.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-This was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled, 30-week study conducted at 101 sites in the U.S. After a 4-week, single-blind, placebo lead-in period, 377 subjects were randomized (60% men, age 55 Ϯ 11 years, BMI 33 Ϯ 6 kg/m 2 , HbA 1c 8.6 Ϯ 1.2% [ϮSD]) and began 4 weeks at 5 g subcutaneous exenatide twice daily (before breakfast and dinner; arms A and B) or placebo. Subsequently, subjects in arm B were escalated to 10 g b.i.d. exenatide. All subjects continued sulfonylurea therapy.RESULTS -At week 30, HbA 1c changes from baseline were Ϫ0.86 Ϯ 0.11, Ϫ0.46 Ϯ 0.12, and 0.12 Ϯ 0.09% (ϮSE) in the 10-g, 5-g, and placebo arms, respectively (adjusted P Ͻ 0.001). Of evaluable subjects with baseline HbA 1c Ͼ 7% (n ϭ 237), 41% (10 g), 33% (5 g), and 9% (placebo) achieved HbA 1c Յ 7% (P Ͻ 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose concentrations decreased in the 10-g arm compared with placebo (P Ͻ 0.05). Subjects in the exenatide arms had dose-dependent progressive weight loss, with an end-of-study loss in the 10-g exenatide arm of Ϫ1.6 Ϯ 0.3 kg from baseline (P Ͻ 0.05 vs. placebo). The most frequent adverse events were generally mild or moderate and gastrointestinal in nature. No severe hypoglycemia was observed.CONCLUSIONS -Exenatide significantly reduced HbA 1c in patients with type 2 diabetes failing maximally effective doses of a sulfonylurea. Exenatide was generally well tolerated and was associated with weight loss.