Oral, Subcutaneous Insulin Demonstrate Similar Efficacy

A presentation at the American Diabetes Association’s 77th Scientific Sessions showed that oral insulin achieved similar HbA^1c and fasting plasma glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with subcutaneous insulin injections.

“The results of our feasibility study show for the first time that it’s possible to develop, on a small-scale level, therapeutically meaningful insulin in an easy-to-take oral tablet,” study coauthor, Karsten Wassermann, PhD, DSc, project vice president of global development at Novo Nordisk said in a press release. “Oral insulin has long been considered a highly desirable option in diabetes research, potentially freeing patients from continuous injections in favor of an easy-to-take tablet.” 

The researchers examined the efficacy and safety of an investigational agent (OI338GT; Novo Nordisk)—a long-acting, oral insulin tablet—compared with injectable insulin glargine. They randomized a cohort of 50 adults with type 2 diabetes to receive one of the two treatments. The study was uniquely designed as a “double-blind, double-dummy,” meaning all patients received a tablet and injection daily, while only one of the two treatments contained insulin. 

Dr Wassermann and colleagues found that significant improvements in blood glucose levels were achieved using both oral and injectable insulin. However, the study authors noted that more research and development is needed to perfect oral insulin.

“While these data are highly encouraging, there is a need to optimize the tablet to further increase the insulin bioavailability,” Dr Wassermann said in the press release. “Within the scientific community there is an ongoing search for alternative ways to administer insulin so that we can enable diabetes patients to receive insulin without continuously breaking the skin barrier with a needle. The goal is to provide optimal coverage and ease insulin therapy for patients with diabetes, and now, we’re one step closer to achieving that
vision.” —David Costill