Liraglutide enhances insulin secretion and prolongs the remission period in adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (the NewLira study): A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Aim: To test the effect of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, on residual beta‐cell function in adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In a multicentre, double‐blind, parallel‐group trial, adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes and stimulated C‐peptide of more than 0.2 nmol/L were randomized (1:1) to 1.8‐mg liraglutide (Victoza) or placebo once daily for 52 weeks with 6 weeks of follow‐up with only insulin treatment. The primary endpoint was the between‐group difference in C‐peptide area under the curve (AUC) following a liquid mixed‐meal test after 52 weeks of treatment. Results: Sixty‐eight individuals were randomized. After 52 weeks, the 4‐hour AUC C‐peptide response was maintained with liraglutide, but decreased with placebo (P =.002). Six weeks after end‐of‐treatment, C‐peptide AUCs were similar for liraglutide and placebo. The average required total daily insulin dose decreased from 0.30 to 0.23 units/kg/day with liraglutide, but increased from 0.29 to 0.43 units/kg/day in the placebo group at week 52 (P <.001). Time without the need for insulin treatment was observed in 13 versus two patients and lasted for 22 weeks (from 3 to 52 weeks) versus 6 weeks (from 4 to 8 weeks) on average for liraglutide and placebo, respectively. Patients treated with liraglutide had fewer episodes of hypoglycaemia compared with placebo‐treated patients. The adverse events with liraglutide were predominantly gastrointestinal and transient. Conclusions: Treatment with liraglutide improves residual beta‐cell function and reduces the dose of insulin during the first year after diagnosis. Beta‐cell function was similar at 6 weeks postliraglutide treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]