For millions of people living with type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar can be a daily challenge. The disease happens when the body no longer responds properly to insulin or cannot make enough of it.
As a result, glucose, a type of sugar that the body uses for energy, builds up in the bloodstream. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves. People with type 2 diabetes are also more likely to develop obesity, high blood pressure, and other serious health problems.
Over the past few years, a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists has changed diabetes treatment. These medications help the body release insulin when blood sugar rises.
They also slow the emptying of the stomach and reduce appetite, helping many people lose weight. Some GLP-1 drugs have produced such impressive results that they have become popular treatments not only for diabetes but also for obesity.
However, most GLP-1 medicines are given as injections. Some people are uncomfortable with needles or find injections inconvenient. One oral form of semaglutide is available, but it has strict instructions.
It must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and patients must avoid food and drinks for at least 30 minutes afterward. These requirements can make treatment difficult for some people.
Scientists are now testing a new experimental pill called elecoglipron that may overcome some of these limitations. Researchers presented the findings at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions, and the study was published at the same time in The Lancet.
The research was led by Dr. Vanita Aroda of Mass General Brigham. The study, known as SOLSTICE, was a phase 2b randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate whether elecoglipron could safely lower blood sugar and promote weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.
The trial, sponsored by AstraZeneca, included 406 adults from nine countries, including the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to different treatment groups that received varying doses of the medication or a placebo. Researchers carefully examined different starting doses and treatment approaches over 26 weeks.
The results were encouraging. People taking elecoglipron had significantly lower blood sugar levels compared with those receiving placebo.
Up to 89.6 percent of participants taking the drug reached an HbA1c level of 7 percent or below. HbA1c is a blood test that reflects average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months and is a common target for diabetes management. By comparison, only about one-quarter of people taking placebo reached that goal.
The drug also helped participants lose weight. Up to 72.3 percent of those taking elecoglipron lost at least 5 percent of their body weight, compared with just over 20 percent of people in the placebo group.
Researchers reported that the side effects and safety profile of elecoglipron were generally similar to those already seen with other GLP-1 therapies.
At the same scientific meeting, Dr. Aroda also presented findings from another diabetes trial called REIMAGINE 1, which evaluated a combination treatment known as CagriSema. That study also produced positive results, with up to 87 percent of participants reaching their blood sugar targets.
The findings highlight how rapidly diabetes treatment is evolving. Scientists now have many more tools than they did just a few years ago. New medications are becoming increasingly effective at lowering blood sugar while also helping people lose weight and potentially reducing the risk of complications.
After reviewing the findings, the SOLSTICE study appears very promising. An effective GLP-1 pill could make treatment easier and more accessible for many people who prefer to avoid injections.
However, this was a phase 2 study involving a relatively small number of participants and only six months of follow-up. Larger and longer studies will be needed to confirm its long-term safety and effectiveness. Nevertheless, the results suggest that elecoglipron may eventually become an important new option for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
Source: Mass General Brigham.
