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We sought to assess the prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its impact on ischemic events. Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR)-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 53, a large contemporary, randomized trial, evaluated the effect of saxagliptin versus placebo in 16,492 patients with T2DM and a history of or at risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. Polyvascular disease was defined as a history of clinical events involving 2 or more vascular beds (coronary, peripheral, or cerebrovascular system) at the time of randomization. The primary composite endpoint of CV death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke was compared according to the number of diseased arterial beds. At the time of randomization, 3,667 (22.2%) patients had risk factors for CV events; 11,423 (69.3%) had established 1 arterial bed disease; 1,298 (7.9%) had 2 bed disease; and 104 (0.6%) had 3 bed disease. Compared with diabetic patients with no established atherosclerosis, the adjusted hazard ratio for the composite primary end point in 1, 2, or 3 diseased beds was 1.95, 3.54, and 4.64, respectively (trend p < 0.0001). The adjusted risk for overall mortality increased in a similar stepwise fashion from 1.47 to 2.33 to 3.12, respectively (trend p = 0.0001) with each additional diseased arterial territory. In conclusion, in patients with confirmed atherosclerosis enrolled in SAVOR-TIMI 53, 11% had polyvascular disease; and compared with diabetic patients with single bed disease, the risk of ischemic events and overall mortality was substantially higher in patients with T2DM and polyvascular disease., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: In the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR) trial in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, saxagliptin did not increase the risk for major CV adverse events. However, there was an unexpected imbalance in events of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF), one of six components of the secondary CV composite endpoint, with a greater number of events observed with saxagliptin. Here, we examined findings from nonclinical safety and clinical pharmacology studies of saxagliptin with the aim of identifying any potential signals of myocardial injury., Methods: In vitro and in vivo (rat, dog, monkey) safety pharmacology and toxicology studies evaluating the potential effects of saxagliptin and its major active metabolite, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin, on the CV system are reviewed. In addition, results from saxagliptin clinical studies are discussed: one randomized, 2-period, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-ascending-dose study (up to 100 mg); one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential, multiple-ascending-high-dose study (up to 400 mg/day for 14 days); and one randomized, double-blind, 4-period, 4-treatment, cross-over thorough QTc study (up to 40 mg/day for 4 days) in healthy volunteers; as well as one randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential multiple-ascending-dose study in patients with T2D (up to 50 mg/day for 14 days)., Results: Neither saxagliptin nor 5-hydroxy saxagliptin affected ligand binding to receptors and ion channels (e.g. potassium channels) or action potential duration in in vitro studies. In animal toxicology studies, no changes in the cardiac conduction system, blood pressure, heart rate, contractility, heart weight, or heart histopathology were observed. In healthy participants and patients with T2D, there were no findings suggestive of myocyte injury or fluid overload. Serum chemistry abnormalities indicative of cardiac injury, nonspecific muscle damage, or fluid homeostasis changes were infrequent and balanced across treatment groups. There were no QTc changes associated with saxagliptin. No treatment-emergent adverse events suggestive of heart failure or myocardial damage were reported., Conclusions: The saxagliptin nonclinical and clinical pharmacology programs did not identify evidence of myocardial injury and/or CV harm that may have predicted or may explain the unexpected imbalance in the rate of hHF observed in SAVOR.

Background: The impact of cardiovascular complications on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus has not been clearly established. Using EQ5D utility data from SAVOR-TIMI 53, a large phase IV trial of saxagliptin versus placebo, we quantified the impact of cardiovascular and other major events on HRQoL., Methods: EQ5D utilities were recorded annually and following myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. Utilities among patients experiencing major cardiovascular events were analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression, adjusting for baseline characteristics (including EQ5D utility), and compared to those not experiencing major cardiovascular events. Mean utility decrements with standard errors (SE) were estimated as the difference in utility before and after the event., Findings: The mean EQ5D utility of the sample was 0.776 at all time points, and did not differ by treatment. However, mean baseline and month 12 utilities among those with a major cardiovascular event were 0.751 and 0.714. Mean utilities were 0.691 within 3months of, 0.691 3-6months after, and 0.714 6-12months after, a major cardiovascular event. Cardiovascular event-specific utility decrements were 0.05 (0.007) for major cardiovascular events over the same time periods. Decrements of 0.051 (0.012; myocardial infarction), 0.111 (0.022; stroke), 0.065 (0.014; hospitalization for heart failure) 0.019 (0.024; hospitalization for hypoglycemia) were estimated; all coefficients were statistically significant., Interpretation: Consistent with clinical outcomes reported elsewhere, saxagliptin did not improve HRQoL. Cardiovascular complications were associated with significantly decreased HRQoL, most substantial earlier after the event., Funding: BMS/AZ., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hypoglycaemia is a well-known risk associated with the use of sulphonylureas and insulin, often limiting achievement of glycaemic goals. Recognizing the precipitants and recurrence patterns of hypoglycaemic events, particularly major events, is therefore clinically important. The SAVOR-TIMI-53 trial was a cardiovascular outcome study of 16 492 patients allocated to saxagliptin vs placebo added to conventional care for a median of 2.1 years. Hypoglycaemic events were a prespecified outcome in the study and were defined as a symptomatic episode that recovered with carbohydrates or any recorded blood glucose <3.0 mmol/l (<54 mg/dL). A major event was defined as one that required third-party assistance. Analysis of the features of the first hypoglycaemic event for each patient showed that a precipitant for the event was recognized by fewer than half of the patients, with the precipitant most often being a missed meal. In 40% of patients reporting major hypoglycaemic events, no precipitating factor was recognized, and in >60%, no previous hypoglycaemic event was reported during the timespan of the study, underscoring the lack of predictability of such an event., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To determine if reduction in serum insulin with dapagliflozin plus saxagliptin or dapagliflozin add-on to metformin contributed to increased insulin clearance and to assess the effects of these treatments on β-cell function., Methods: Patients (glycated hemoglobin, 8 to 12%; 64 to 108 mmol/mol) were randomized to 24-week, double-blind treatment with saxagliptin 5 mg/day plus dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (n = 179), saxagliptin 5 mg/day plus placebo (n = 176), or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day plus placebo (n = 179) added to metformin. C-peptide to insulin ratio was used as an index of insulin clearance during a meal tolerance test, and β-cell function was evaluated by Homeostasis Model Assessment 2., Results: At 24 weeks, compared with baseline, saxagliptin + dapagliflozin and saxagliptin + placebo increased mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) C-peptide area under the curve (AUC 0-180 min ) (40.2 [9.2 to 71.3] ng/mL and 95.4 [63.4 to 127.4] ng/mL, respectively); no change was noted with dapagliflozin + placebo (14.5 [-17.6 to 46.8] ng/mL). Insulin AUC was reduced from baseline with saxagliptin + dapagliflozin (-1,120.4 [-1,633.9 to -606.9] μU/mL) and dapagliflozin + placebo (-1,018.6 [-1550.5 to -486.8] μU/mL) but increased with saxagliptin + placebo (661.2 [131.1 to 1,191.3] μU/mL). C-peptide to insulin ratio did not change versus baseline with saxagliptin + placebo but increased after saxagliptin + dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin + placebo, largely due to decreased insulin AUC with dapagliflozin. All treatments improved β-cell function (mean change [95% CI] from baseline, saxagliptin+dapagliflozin: 20.6% [16.5% to 24.8%]; dapagliflozin + placebo: 17.0% [12.7% to 21.4%]; saxagliptin + placebo: 11.0% [6.6% to 15.5%])., Conclusion: Increased C-peptide to insulin ratio with saxagliptin + dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin + placebo add-on to metformin compared with saxagliptin + placebo add-on to metformin suggests that dapagliflozin increases insulin clearance and may contribute to lower circulating insulin. All treatments improved β-cell function, with the greatest improvements with saxagliptin + dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin + placebo., Abbreviations: A1c = glycated hemoglobin AUC 0-180 min = area under the curve from 0 to 180 minutes HOMA-2β = homeostasis model assessment-2 β-cell function SGLT-2 = sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 T2D = type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors may have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy., Research Design and Methods: We studied renal outcomes of 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes, randomized to saxagliptin versus placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) trial., Results: At baseline, 9,696 (58.8%) subjects had normoalbuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio [ACR] <30 mg/g), 4,426 (26.8%) had microalbuminuria (ACR 30-300 mg/g), and 1,638 (9.9%) had macroalbuminuria (ACR >300 mg/g). Treatment with saxagliptin was associated with improvement in and/or less deterioration in ACR categories from baseline to end of trial (EOT) (P = 0.021, P < 0.001, and P = 0.049 for individuals with baseline normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, respectively). At 2 years, the difference in mean ACR change between saxagliptin and placebo arms was -19.3 mg/g (P = 0.033) for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >50 mL/min/body surface area per 1.73 m 2 (BSA), -105 mg/g (P = 0.011) for 50 ≥ eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/BSA, and -245.2 mg/g (P = 0.086) for eGFR <30 mL/min/BSA. Analyzing ACR as a continuous variable showed reduction in ACR with saxagliptin (1 year, P < 0.0001; 2 years, P = 0.0143; and EOT, P = 0.0158). The change in ACR did not correlate with that in HbA 1c (r = 0.041, 0.052, and 0.036; 1 year, 2 years, and EOT, respectively). The change in eGFR was similar in the saxagliptin and placebo groups. Safety renal outcomes, including doubling of serum creatinine, initiation of chronic dialysis, renal transplantation, or serum creatinine >6.0 mg/dL, were similar as well., Conclusions: Treatment with saxagliptin improved ACR, even in the normoalbuminuric range, without affecting eGFR. The beneficial effect of saxagliptin on albuminuria could not be explained by its effect on glycemic control., (© 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Purpose: The management of hyperglycemia is challenging in older patients with type 2 diabetes owing to excess fragility and risk for adverse outcomes should hypoglycemia episodes occur. We evaluated baseline β-cell function as a potential risk factor for the development of hypoglycemia when saxagliptin or glimepiride was added in patients aged ≥65 years whose type 2 diabetes was poorly controlled on stable metformin monotherapy., Methods: A post hoc analysis of data from the GENERATION (Efficacy and Tolerability of Saxagliptin Compared with Glimepiride in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled Study) trial, which enrolled 720 patients aged ≥65 years, was conducted. β-Cell function was assessed using homeostasis model assessment-2%β (HOMA-2%β)., Findings: The percentage of patients experiencing any hypoglycemia event (ie, symptomatic event or event of plasma glucose concentration <54 mg/dL regardless of symptoms) was lower with saxagliptin compared with glimepiride (5.8% vs 34.8%). Regardless of treatment, patients with lower (median HOMA-2%β ≤39.1% [≤median]) versus higher (HOMA-2%β above median value [>median]) baseline β-cell function had a higher hypoglycemia event rate (1.27 vs 0.82 events/patient-year; adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.800; 95% CI, 1.501-2.159). In patients receiving glimepiride, the hypoglycemia event rate was higher in patients with baseline HOMA-2%β ≤median versus >median (2.29 vs 1.60 events/patient-year; adjusted IRR = 1.737; 95% CI, 1.439-2.097); corresponding saxagliptin hypoglycemia event rates were too low to draw meaningful conclusions (0.16 vs 0.09 events/patient-year; adjusted IRR = 2.457; 95% CI, 1.148-5.256). The association between lower β-cell function at baseline and increased prevalence of hypoglycemia was particularly strong in patients aged ≥75 years (adjusted IRR = 2.409; 95% CI, 1.686-3.442; P < 0.001), although it was also significant in patients aged 65 to <75 years old (adjusted IRR, 1.654; 95% CI, 1.339-2.043; P < 0.001)., Implications: In patients with lower β-cell function, the addition of a sulfonylurea to a metformin regimen was associated with an increased risk for hypoglycemia compared with that in patients with higher β-cell function; low hypoglycemia event rates with the addition of saxagliptin limited equivalent assessments. These findings in older patients are especially relevant because morbidity associated with hypoglycemia is higher in this age group. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01006603 (ClinicalTrials.gov)., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the impact of adding saxagliptin versus placebo on the risk for hypoglycemia and to identify predictors of any and major hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes included in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) study., Research Design and Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 16,492) were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years. Associations between any hypoglycemia (symptomatic or glucose measurement <54 mg/dL) or major hypoglycemia (requiring extended assistance) and patient characteristics overall and by treatment allocation were studied., Results: At least one hypoglycemic event was reported in 16.6% of patients, and 1.9% reported at least one major event. Patients allocated to saxagliptin versus placebo experienced higher rates of any (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16 [95% CI 1.08, 1.25]; P < 0.001) or major (HR 1.26 [1.01, 1.58]; P = 0.038) hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia rates (any or major) were increased with saxagliptin in patients taking sulfonylureas (SURs) but not in those taking insulin. Rates were increased with saxagliptin in those with baseline HbA1c ≤7.0% and not in those with baseline HbA1c >7.0%. Multivariate analysis of the overall population revealed that independent predictors of any hypoglycemia were as follows: allocation to saxagliptin, long duration of diabetes, increased updated HbA1c, macroalbuminuria, moderate renal failure, SUR use, and insulin use. Predictors of major hypoglycemia were allocation to saxagliptin, advanced age, black race, reduced BMI, long duration of diabetes, declining renal function, microalbuminuria, and use of short-acting insulin. Among SURs, glibenclamide was associated with increased risk of major but not any hypoglycemia., Conclusions: The identification of patients at risk for hypoglycemia can guide physicians to better tailor antidiabetic therapy., (© 2016 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Background: The effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes according to different hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels has not been described. Thus, we analyzed the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial to compare the cardiovascular effects of saxagliptin vs placebo according to baseline HbA1c., Methods: A total of 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.5%-12.0% in the 6 months before randomization) and either a history of established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo in addition to usual care. Patients were followed for a median of 2.1 years. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke., Results: Patients were stratified by HbA1c at randomization into the following prespecified groups: <7%, 7%-<8%, 8%-<9%, and ≥9%. Baseline HbA1c ≥7% was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR(adj)] 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.58) but not hospitalization for heart failure (HR(adj) 1.09; 95% CI, 0.88-1.36). Saxagliptin neither increased nor decreased the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke in patients with HbA1c <7% (HR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.78-1.31), 7%-<8% (HR 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.20), 8%-<9% (HR 1.09; 95% CI, 0.85-1.39), ≥9% (HR 0.95; 95% CI, 0.77-1.18) (P-interaction = .89)., Conclusions: Baseline HbA1c is associated with increased risk of macrovascular events but not hospitalization for heart failure. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular events by baseline HbA1c, with cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke neither increased nor decreased across the spectrum of baseline HbA1c values., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of bone fractures, the predisposing factors for which are unknown. Treatment with thiazolidinediones (TZDs) further increases the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. In the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) trial, fractures were considered an adverse event of special interest, and information regarding fractures was collected., Research Design and Methods: We compared the incidence of fractures among the 8,280 patients who were assigned to treatment with saxagliptin with that in the 8,212 patients who were assigned to placebo. We further analyzed the participants' baseline characteristics and fracture risk., Results: During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, 241 patients (2.9%) in the saxagliptin group and 240 (2.9%) in the placebo group experienced a fracture (hazard ratio [HR] 1.00 [95% CI 0.83-1.19]). Event rates for fractures were the same in both treatment arms: 14.7 per 1,000 patient-years in the entire population and 14.0 in the on-treatment population (first event only). Fracture risk was similar in patients treated with saxagliptin or placebo across different subgroups defined by race, cardiovascular risk, and renal function. A multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that risk of fracture was associated with female sex (P < 0.0001), longer diabetes duration (P < 0.0001), older age (P = 0.002), major hypoglycemic events (P = 0.01), noncompliance with study drug (P = 0.01), and treatment with TZDs (P = 0.03)., Conclusions: In a large population of older patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with saxagliptin was not associated with an increased risk of fractures. The association between longer diabetes duration and increased risk of bone fracture is an intriguing finding., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of triple therapy with saxagliptin add-on versus placebo add-on to dapagliflozin plus metformin in adults with type 2 diabetes., Research Design and Methods: Patients on stable metformin (≥1,500 mg/day) for ≥8 weeks with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.0-11.5% (64-102 mmol/mol) at screening received open-label dapagliflozin (10 mg/day) plus metformin immediate release (IR) for 16 weeks. Patients with inadequate glycemic control (HbA1c 7-10.5% [53-91 mmol/mol]) were then randomized to receive placebo (n = 153) or saxagliptin 5 mg/day (n = 162) in addition to background dapagliflozin plus metformin IR. The primary efficacy end point was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24., Results: There was a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c at 24 weeks with saxagliptin add-on (-0.51% [-5.6 mmol/mol]) versus placebo (-0.16% [-1.7 mmol/mol]) add-on to dapagliflozin plus metformin (difference, -0.35% [95% CI -0.52% to -0.18%] and -3.8 [-5.7 to -2.0 mmol/mol], respectively; P < 0.0001). Reductions in fasting plasma glucose and 2-h postprandial glucose were similar between treatment arms. A larger proportion of patients achieved HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) with saxagliptin add-on (35.3%) versus placebo add-on (23.1%) to dapagliflozin plus metformin. Adverse events were similar between treatment groups. Episodes of hypoglycemia were infrequent in both treatment arms, and there were no episodes of major hypoglycemia., Conclusions: Triple therapy with the addition of saxagliptin to dapagliflozin plus metformin was well tolerated and produced significant improvements in HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with dapagliflozin plus metformin., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of treatment with dapagliflozin versus that with placebo add-on to saxagliptin plus metformin in patients whose type 2 diabetes is inadequately controlled with saxagliptin plus metformin treatment., Research Design and Methods: Patients receiving treatment with stable metformin (stratum A) (screening HbA1c level 8.0-11.5% [64-102 mmol/mol]) or stable metformin and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (stratum B) (HbA1c 7.5-10.5% [58-91 mmol/mol]) for ≥8 weeks received open-label saxagliptin 5 mg/day and metformin for 16 weeks (stratum A) or 8 weeks (stratum B) (saxagliptin replaced any DPP-4 inhibitor). Patients with inadequate glycemic control (HbA1c 7-10.5% [53-91 mmol/mol]) were randomized to receive placebo or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day plus saxagliptin and metformin. The primary end point was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24. Secondary end points included fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, 2-h postprandial glucose (PPG) level, body weight, and proportion of patients achieving an HbA1c level of <7% (53 mmol/mol)., Results: Treatment with dapagliflozin add-on to saxagliptin plus metformin resulted in a greater mean HbA1c reduction than placebo (-0.82 vs. -0.10% [-9 vs. -1.1 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001). Significantly greater reductions in FPG level, 2-h PPG level, and body weight were observed, and more patients achieved an HbA1c level of <7% (53 mmol/mol) with treatment with dapagliflozin versus placebo. Adverse events were similar across treatment groups, with a low overall risk of hypoglycemia (∼1%). Genital infections developed in more patients with dapagliflozin treatment (5%) than with placebo (0.6%)., Conclusions: Triple therapy with dapagliflozin add-on to saxagliptin plus metformin improves glycemic control and is well tolerated in patients whose type 2 diabetes is inadequately controlled with saxagliptin plus metformin therapy., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Objective: To examine the safety and cardiovascular (CV) effects of saxagliptin in the predefined elderly (≥65 years) and very elderly (≥75 years) subpopulations of the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) trial., Research Design and Methods: Individuals ≥40 years (n = 16,492; elderly, n = 8,561; very elderly, n = 2,330) with HbA1c ≥6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol) and ≤12.0% (107.7 mmol/mol) were randomized (1:1) to saxagliptin (5 or 2.5 mg daily) or placebo in a double-blind trial for a median follow-up of 2.1 years., Results: The hazard ratio (HR) for the comparison of saxagliptin versus placebo for the primary end point (composite of CV mortality, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke) was 0.92 for elderly patients vs. 1.15 for patients <65 years (P = 0.06) and 0.95 for very elderly patients. The HRs for the secondary composite end points in the entire cohort, elderly cohort, and very elderly cohort were similar. Although saxagliptin increased the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in the overall saxagliptin population, there was no age-based treatment interaction (P = 0.76 for elderly patients vs. those <65 years; P = 0.34 for very elderly patients vs. those <75 years). Among saxagliptin-treated individuals with baseline HbA1c ≥7.6% (59.6 mmol/mol), the mean change from baseline HbA1c at 2 years was -0.69%, -0.64%, -0.66%, and -0.66% for those ≥65, <65, ≥75, and <75 years old, respectively. The incidence of overall adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs was similar between saxagliptin and placebo in all cohorts; however, hypoglycemic events were higher for saxagliptin versus placebo regardless of age., Conclusions: The SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial supports the overall CV safety of saxagliptin in a robust number of elderly and very elderly participants, although the risk of heart failure hospitalization was increased irrespective of age category. AEs and serious AEs as well as glycemic efficacy of saxagliptin in elderly patients are similar to those found in younger patients., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Objective: The glycemic management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment is challenging, with few treatment options. We investigated the effect of saxagliptin in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR)-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 53 trial according to baseline renal function., Research Design and Methods: Patients with T2DM at risk for cardiovascular events were stratified as having normal or mildly impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] >50 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 13,916), moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30-50 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 2,240), or severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 336) and randomized to receive saxagliptin or placebo. The primary end point was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke., Results: After a median duration of 2 years, saxagliptin neither increased nor decreased the risk of the primary and secondary composite end points compared with placebo, irrespective of renal function (all P for interactions ≥ 0.19). Overall, the risk of hospitalization for heart failure among the three eGFR groups of patients was 2.2% (referent), 7.4% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.38 [95% CI 1.95-2.91], P < 0.001), and 13.0% (adjusted HR 4.59 [95% CI 3.28-6.28], P < 0.001), respectively. The relative risk of hospitalization for heart failure with saxagliptin was similar (P for interaction = 0.43) in patients with eGFR >50 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (HR 1.23 [95% CI 0.99-1.55]), eGFR 30-50 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (HR 1.46 [95% CI 1.07-2.00]), and in patients with eGFR <30 (HR 0.94 [95% CI 0.52-1.71]). Patients with renal impairment achieved reductions in microalbuminuria with saxagliptin (P = 0.041) that were similar to those of the overall trial population., Conclusions: Saxagliptin did not affect the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, increased the risk of heart failure hospitalization, and reduced progressive albuminuria, irrespective of baseline renal function., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of dual add-on of saxagliptin plus dapagliflozin versus saxagliptin and dapagliflozin added on alone in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with metformin., Research Design and Methods: This was a double-blind trial in adults with HbA1c ≥8.0% and ≤12.0% (64-108 mmol/mol), randomized to saxagliptin (SAXA) (5 mg/day) plus dapagliflozin (DAPA) (10 mg/day; n = 179), or SAXA (5 mg/day) and placebo (n = 176), or DAPA (10 mg/day) and placebo (n = 179) on background metformin extended release (MET) ≥1,500 mg/day. Primary objective compared changes from baseline in HbA1c with SAXA+DAPA+MET versus SAXA+MET and DAPA+MET., Results: Patients had a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.9% (74 mmol/mol), diabetes duration of 7.6 years, and a BMI of 32 kg/m(2). At week 24, the adjusted mean change from the baseline HbA1c was -1.5% (-16.1 mmol/mol) with SAXA+DAPA+MET versus -0.9% (-9.6 mmol/mol) with SAXA+MET (difference -0.59% [-6.4 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001) and -1.2% (-13.1 mmol/mol) with DAPA+MET (difference -0.27% [3.0 mmol/mol], P < 0.02). The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) was 41% with SAXA+DAPA+MET versus 18% with SAXA+MET and 22% with DAPA+MET. Urinary and genital infections occurred in ≤1% of patients receiving SAXA+DAPA+MET. Hypoglycemia was infrequent, with no episodes of major hypoglycemia., Conclusions: In this first report of adding a well-tolerated combination of saxagliptin plus dapagliflozin to background metformin therapy in patients poorly controlled with metformin, greater improvements in glycemic control were obtained with triple therapy by the dual addition of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin than dual therapy with the addition of saxagliptin or dapagliflozin alone., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Background and Objectives: As compared with individual tablets, saxagliptin/metformin extended-release (XR) fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets offer the potential for increased patient compliance with the convenience of once daily dosing. The aim of the present study was to show that the FDC of saxagliptin and metformin XR is bioequivalent to co-administration of the individual components when given to Chinese subjects residing in China., Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-period, cross-over pharmacokinetic study in two cohorts of healthy adult Chinese male subjects (n = 32 in each cohort) under fed conditions. In cohort 1, the pharmacokinetic properties of a saxagliptin/metformin XR 5/500 mg FDC tablet were compared with those of co-administration of a 5 mg saxagliptin tablet and a 500 mg metformin XR tablet. In cohort 2, the pharmacokinetic properties of a saxagliptin/metformin XR 5/1,000 mg FDC tablet were compared with those of co-administration of a 5 mg saxagliptin tablet and 2 × 500 mg metformin XR tablets. The two cohorts were independent of each other with respect to treatment and results. The pharmacokinetic properties of the active metabolite of saxagliptin (5-hydroxy-saxagliptin), as well as the safety and tolerability of each treatment, were also evaluated., Results: For both cohorts, saxagliptin and metformin in the FDCs were bioequivalent to the individual components, as the limits of the 90 % confidence intervals of the geometric least squares mean ratios were contained within the 80-125 % bioequivalence limits for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve parameters and within the 70-143 % bioequivalence limits for the maximum plasma concentration. Similar exposures of 5-hydroxy-saxagliptin were observed with the two treatment regimens within each cohort. Co-administration of saxagliptin and metformin XR was generally safe and well tolerated as the FDCs or as individual tablets., Conclusion: Saxagliptin/metformin XR 5/500 mg and saxagliptin/metformin XR 5/1,000 mg FDCs were bioequivalent to individual tablets of saxagliptin and metformin XR of the same strengths and were generally well tolerated. These results in healthy Chinese subjects are consistent with those of previous assessments of saxagliptin/metformin XR FDC in the saxagliptin clinical development programme.

Aims: To examine whether concomitant statin therapy affects glycemic control with saxagliptin 2.5 and 5mg/d in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: Efficacy and safety were analyzed post hoc for pooled data from 9 saxagliptin randomized, placebo-controlled trials with a primary 24-week treatment period (4 monotherapy, 2 add-on to metformin, 1 each add-on to a sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, or insulin±metformin). Safety was also assessed in an 11-study, 24-week pool and an extended 20-study pool, which included 9 additional 4- to 52-week randomized studies. Comparisons were performed for patient groups defined by baseline statin use., Results: Saxagliptin produced greater mean reductions in glycated hemoglobin than placebo, with no interaction between treatment and baseline statin use (P=0.47). In patients receiving saxagliptin 2.5 and 5mg and placebo, the proportion of patients with ≥1 adverse event (AE) was 78.1%, 64.0%, and 63.2%, respectively, in patients with any statin use and 70.6%, 57.9%, and 55.0% in patients with no statin use. Serious AEs, deaths, and symptomatic confirmed hypoglycemia (fingerstick glucose ≤50mg/dL) were few and similar, irrespective of baseline statin use., Conclusions: Saxagliptin improves glycemic control and is generally well tolerated in patients with T2DM, irrespective of concomitant statin therapy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diabetes mellitus and heart failure frequently coexist. However, few diabetes mellitus trials have prospectively evaluated and adjudicated heart failure as an end point., Methods and Results: A total of 16 492 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of, or at risk of, cardiovascular events were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo (mean follow-up, 2.1 years). The primary end point was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. Hospitalization for heart failure was a predefined component of the secondary end point. Baseline N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide was measured in 12 301 patients. More patients treated with saxagliptin (289, 3.5%) were hospitalized for heart failure compared with placebo (228, 2.8%; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence intercal, 1.07-1.51; P=0.007). Corresponding rates at 12 months were 1.9% versus 1.3% (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.88; P=0.002), with no significant difference thereafter (time-varying interaction, P=0.017). Subjects at greatest risk of hospitalization for heart failure had previous heart failure, an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min, or elevated baseline levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide. There was no evidence of heterogeneity between N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and saxagliptin (P for interaction=0.46), although the absolute risk excess for heart failure with saxagliptin was greatest in the highest N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide quartile (2.1%). Even in patients at high risk of hospitalization for heart failure, the risk of the primary and secondary end points were similar between treatment groups., Conclusions: In the context of balanced primary and secondary end points, saxagliptin treatment was associated with an increased risk or hospitalization for heart failure. This increase in risk was highest among patients with elevated levels of natriuretic peptides, previous heart failure, or chronic kidney disease., Clinical Trial Registration Url: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01107886., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Objective: To test the effectiveness and safety of saxagliptin 5 mg/d in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular (CV) risk factors., Methods: The authors conducted a post hoc analysis of data from 3 randomized studies that compared saxagliptin versus placebo as initial combination therapy with metformin for 24 weeks (N = 648) and versus placebo as an add-on to insulin with and without metformin for 24 weeks (N = 455), and assessed noninferiority to glipizide as an add-on to metformin for 52 weeks (N = 858). Efficacy outcomes were the adjusted mean change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, fasting plasma glucose concentration, and body weight and the proportion of patients achieving an HbA1c level < 7%. Pairwise comparisons were performed in subgroups with 1) history/no history of CVD, 2) ≥ 2 versus 0 to 1 CV risk factors, 3) hypertension/no hypertension, and 4) statin use/no statin use. Adverse events (AE) and hypoglycemia were monitored., Results: In the initial combination therapy study, reductions in HbA1c level from baseline were greater with saxagliptin versus placebo in all subgroups (difference [saxagliptin - placebo], -0.38% to -0.67%). In the add-on to insulin ± metformin study, differences in adjusted mean change in HbA1c level versus placebo ranged from -0.23% to -0.58% across subgroups. In the noninferiority to glipizide study, adjusted mean changes in HbA1c level were comparable between saxagliptin and glipizide, across subgroups (difference, 0.08%-0.21%). No evidence suggested clinically relevant treatment-by-subgroup interactions in pairwise comparison. Incidences of ≥ 1 AE were comparable across subgroups. Incidences of confirmed hypoglycemia with saxagliptin were 0 in both metformin add-on studies and 1.2% to 7.8% with saxagliptin + insulin ± metformin., Conclusion: In patients with T2DM, saxagliptin 5 mg/d was similarly effective in improving glycemic control, with an AE profile similar to that of placebo, irrespective of CVD history, number of CV risk factors, hypertension, or statin use., Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00327015, NCT00575588, NCT00757588.

Background: A post hoc pooled analysis was undertaken to evaluate the safety of saxagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with attention to events of special interest for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors., Methods: Pooled analyses were performed for 20 randomized controlled studies (N = 9156) of saxagliptin as monotherapy or add-on therapy, and a subset of 11 saxagliptin + metformin studies. Adverse events and events of special interest (gastrointestinal adverse events, infections, hypersensitivity, pancreatitis, skin lesions, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycaemia, bone fracture, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, opportunistic infection, angioedema, malignancy, worsening renal function, and specific laboratory events) were assessed; incidence rates (events/100 person-years) and incidence rates ratios (saxagliptin/control) were calculated (Mantel-Haenszel method)., Results: In both pooled datasets, the incidence rates for deaths, serious adverse events, discontinuations due to adverse events, pancreatitis, malignancy, and most other events of special interest, excepting bone fractures and hypersensitivity, were similar between treatments, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incidence rates ratios including 1. In the 20-study pool, the incidence rates per 100 person-years was higher with saxagliptin versus control for bone fractures [1.1 vs 0.6; incidence rates ratio (95% CI), 1.81 (1.04-3.28)] and hypersensitivity adverse events [1.3 vs 0.8; 1.67 (1.01-2.87)]., Conclusions: Pooled data from 20 studies confirm that saxagliptin has a favourable safety and benefit-risk profile., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To determine the incidence of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial., Research Design and Methods: A total of 16,492 type 2 diabetic patients ≥40 years old with established cardiovascular (CV) disease or CV risk factors were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo and followed for 2.1 years. Outcome measures were investigator reported with blinded expert adjudication of total pancreatitis (acute and chronic) and reported cases of pancreatic cancer., Results: Trial investigators reported 35 events of pancreatitis in each treatment arm in 63 patients (33 [0.40%] in the saxagliptin arm and 30 [0.37%] in control arm), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.09 (95% CI 0.66-1.79, P = 0.80). Adjudication confirmed pancreatitis in 24 patients (26 events) in the saxagliptin arm (0.29%) and 21 patients (25 events) in placebo arm (0.26%), with an HR of 1.13 (0.63-2.06, P = 0.77). Cases of definite acute pancreatitis were confirmed in 17 (0.2%) vs. 9 (0.1%) (HR 1.88 [0.86-4.41], P = 0.17), definite plus possible pancreatitis in 22 vs. 16 (HR 1.36 [0.72-2.64], P = 0.42), and chronic pancreatitis in 2 vs. 6 (HR 0.33 [0.05-1.44], P = 0.18) in the saxagliptin and placebo arms, respectively. No differences in time to event onset, concomitant risk factors for pancreatitis, investigator-reported causality from study medication or disease severity, and outcome were found between treatment arms. The investigators reported 5 and 12 cases of pancreatic cancer in the saxagliptin and placebo arms, respectively (HR 0.42 [0.13-1.12], P = 0.09)., Conclusions: In the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial, within 2.1 years of follow-up, risk for pancreatitis in type 2 diabetic patients treated with saxagliptin was low and apparently similar to placebo, with no sign of increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Further studies are needed to completely resolve the pancreatic safety issues with incretin-based therapy., (© 2014 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Aims: Saxagliptin reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial glucose (PPG) in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To understand the physiology of this effect, indices of α- and β-cell function were measured in a subpopulation of Chinese patients following a noodle mixed-meal tolerance test., Methods: Data from Chinese patients were pooled from two phase 3, 24-week studies of saxagliptin 5mg/d as monotherapy in drug-naive patients and as add-on to metformin in patients inadequately controlled with metformin alone. The end points for β- and α-cell function were change from baseline in C-peptide, insulin, and glucagon areas under the curve from 0 to 180 min (AUC0-180), insulinogenic index, and insulin sensitivity from Matsuda index after a mixed meal. Also glycemic variables, HbA1c, FPG, and PPG (AUC0-180), and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) 2β were measured., Results: At 24 weeks, greater improvements in adjusted mean change from baseline HbA1c (difference vs placebo [95% CI], -0.33% [-0.50%, -0.17%], [-4 (-5.5, -1.9) mmol/mol], P<0.0001), FPG (-0.41 [-0.78, -0.03] mmol/L, P=0.03), PPG AUC0-180 (-168 [-245, -91.8] mmol min/L, P<0.0001), C-peptide AUC0-180 (19.7 [5.2, 34.2] nmol min/L, P=0.008), insulinogenic index (0.06% [0.02%, 0.09%], P=0.002), and greater suppression of glucagon secretion (glucagon AUC0-180, -322 [-493.6, -150.7] pmol min/L, P=0.0003) were observed with saxagliptin versus placebo., Conclusion: In Chinese patients with T2DM, saxagliptin as monotherapy or as add-on to metformin improved glycemic control by modulating α- and β-cell function., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: It is important to establish the cardiovascular (CV) safety profile of novel antidiabetic drugs., Methods: Pooled analyses were performed of 20 randomized controlled studies (N = 9156) of saxagliptin as monotherapy or add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as a subset of 11 saxagliptin + metformin studies. Adjudicated major adverse CV events (MACE; CV death, myocardial infarction [MI], and stroke) and investigator-reported heart failure were assessed, and incidence rates (IRs; events/100 patient-years) and IR ratios (IRRs; saxagliptin/control) were calculated (Mantel-Haenszel method)., Results: In pooled datasets, the IR point estimates for MACE and individual components of CV death, MI, and stroke favored saxagliptin, but the 95% CI included 1. IRR (95% CI) for MACE in the 20-study pool was 0.74 (0.45, 1.25). The Cox proportional hazard ratio (95% CI) was 0.75 (0.46, 1.21), suggesting no increased risk of MACE in the 20-study pool. In the 11-study saxagliptin + metformin pool, the IRR for MACE was 0.93 (0.44, 1.99). In the 20-study pool, the IRR for heart failure was 0.55 (0.27, 1.12)., Conclusions: Analysis of pooled data from 20 clinical trials in patients with T2DM suggests that saxagliptin is not associated with an increased CV risk.

Background: The cardiovascular safety and efficacy of many current antihyperglycemic agents, including saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, are unclear., Methods: We randomly assigned 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes who had a history of, or were at risk for, cardiovascular events to receive saxagliptin or placebo and followed them for a median of 2.1 years. Physicians were permitted to adjust other medications, including antihyperglycemic agents. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke., Results: A primary end-point event occurred in 613 patients in the saxagliptin group and in 609 patients in the placebo group (7.3% and 7.2%, respectively, according to 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates; hazard ratio with saxagliptin, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89 to 1.12; P=0.99 for superiority; P<0.001 for noninferiority); the results were similar in the "on-treatment" analysis (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.17). The major secondary end point of a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, coronary revascularization, or heart failure occurred in 1059 patients in the saxagliptin group and in 1034 patients in the placebo group (12.8% and 12.4%, respectively, according to 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates; hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.11; P=0.66). More patients in the saxagliptin group than in the placebo group were hospitalized for heart failure (3.5% vs. 2.8%; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.51; P=0.007). Rates of adjudicated cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis were similar in the two groups (acute pancreatitis, 0.3% in the saxagliptin group and 0.2% in the placebo group; chronic pancreatitis, <0.1% and 0.1% in the two groups, respectively)., Conclusions: DPP-4 inhibition with saxagliptin did not increase or decrease the rate of ischemic events, though the rate of hospitalization for heart failure was increased. Although saxagliptin improves glycemic control, other approaches are necessary to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes. (Funded by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb; SAVOR-TIMI 53 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01107886.).

Objectives: Saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by increasing endogenous active, intact glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in response to food, which augments insulin secretion and decreases glucagon release., Research Design and Methods: SAVOR-TIMI 53 is a phase 4, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 25 countries that is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of saxagliptin during long-term treatment of approximately 16,500 patients with T2DM. Eligible patients who are either treatment naive or on any background antidiabetic treatment (except incretin therapy) with history of established cardiovascular (CV) disease or multiple risk factors are randomized 1:1 to saxagliptin 5 mg QD (2.5 mg in subjects with moderate/severe renal impairment) or matching placebo, stratified by qualifying disease state. The primary end point is the composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal ischemic stroke. The trial will continue until approximately 1,040 primary end points accrue, providing 85% power to identify a 17% relative reduction of the primary end point with saxagliptin versus placebo and 98% power to test for noninferiority of saxagliptin versus placebo (reject the upper limit of 95% CI for a hazard ratio <1.3 at a 1-sided α of .025)., Conclusion: SAVOR-TIMI 53 is testing the hypothesis that treatment with saxagliptin is safe and reduces CV events in high-risk patients with T2DM., (Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)