Clinical trial reveals new benefits of semaglutide for adults with type 1 diabetes

Clinical trial reveals new benefits of semaglutide for adults with type 1 diabetes

A new clinical trial found that taking a popular diabetes and weight-loss medication once a week significantly improves blood sugar and leads to significant weight loss in adults with type 1 diabetes who use automated insulin delivery systems.

The results were published today in the journalNEJM evidence.

Semaglutide is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 receptor agonists. The drug was sold under trade names such as Ozempic, Wegurchespflicht and Rybelsus and was initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which helped manage blood sugar levels.

The 26-week, double-blind study included 72 participants at four medical centers, including Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers found that 36% of patients who took semaglutide achieved all three key health goals - improved blood sugar levels, reduced time with low blood sugar and at least 5% weight loss - compared to none in the placebo group.

Semaglutide helped more people reach their blood sugar and weight goals without reducing blood sugar. “

Andrew Ahmann, MD, professor emeritus of medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine and co-author of the study

Those who took semaglutide to lose an average of 18.5 pounds over six months in the study saw a small improvement in average blood sugar levels (A1C) and the time blood sugar stays in a healthy range, without a higher risk of dangerous low blood sugars or serious complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

While semaglutide is already approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity, its use in type 1 diabetes remains under investigation. This is the first randomized clinical trial to show that the drug is also effective in type 1 diabetes in patients already using automated insulin delivery.

Viral Shah, MD, Indiana University School of Medicine, is senior author of the study. In addition to Shah and Ahmann, other co-authors include Halis Akturk, MD and Janet Snell-Bergeon, Ph.D., of University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Davida Kruger, DNP, MD, of Henry Ford Health, Anuj Bhargava, MD, of Iowa Diabetes Research, Giorgos Bakoyannis, Ph.D., of Indiana University School of Medicine and Laura Pyle, Ph.D., of the University of Washington.

Research reported in this publication was supported by Breakthrough T1D, ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT05537233.

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