incretins and Pancreatitis

Some epidemiological data have suggested an elevated risk of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer after exposure to glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors. Recently, such outcomes have been assessed and adjudicated as adverse events of special interest in cardiovascular outcomes studies. We performed a meta-analysis of cases of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer as well as any malignant neoplasm reported in cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) with GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors. The numbers of cases observed with active drug or placebo (both on a background of standard care) were related to patient-years of observation. Rate ratios and their confidence intervals were calculated for the individual agents as well as for the classes of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors. Neither data on individual CVOTs of GLP-1 receptor agonists nor their meta-analysis [rate ratio: 1.05 (0.78-1.41)] indicated a significantly elevated risk of acute pancreatitis. All individual DPP-4 inhibitors displayed a non-significant trend towards an increased risk of acute pancreatitis, which was significant in the meta-analysis [1.75 (1.14-2.70); P = 0.01]. Neither GLP-1 receptor agonists nor DPP-4 inhibitors were associated with a significantly elevated or reduced risk of pancreatic cancer or for the totality of all malignant neoplasms. Based on a large database of randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective cardiovascular outcomes studies with GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, no signal for pancreatic cancer or any malignant neoplasms were detected. However, a 75% risk increase for the development of an acute pancreatitis was seen in the meta-analysis of DPP-4 inhibitor CVOTs.

Topics: Acute Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Glucose; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Prospective Studies

The link of acute pancreatitis (AP) with Incretin based therapies (IBTs) in type 2 diabetes has existed since United States Food and Drug Administration alert in 2010. This issue still remains unresolved due to conflicting results among studies.. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases until 31 July 2019, and retrieved all cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of IBTs conducted for ≥12 months that reported the pre-specified and or pre-adjudicated pancreatitis outcomes. Subsequently, we conducted a meta-analysis to study the risk of AP observed with IBT in CVOTs.. A meta-analysis of seven CVOTs of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) compared with placebo (N = 55,932) found no significant increase in AP (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-1.42; p = 0.77). In contrast, meta-analysis of five CVOTs comparing DPP-4 inhibitors with placebo (N = 47,714) and six CVOTs comparing DPP-4 inhibitors with placebo or active comparator (N = 53,747), found a significant increase (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.21-2.70; p = 0.04 and OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.08-2.18; p = 0.02, respectively) in AP without any significant heterogeneity.. This meta-analysis revealed a significant association between pancreatitis and DPP-4 inhibitors; however, no such association was observed for GLP-1RAs.

Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis

The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is), which belong to the class of incretin-based medications, are recommended as second or third-line therapies in guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They have a favorable drug tolerability and safety profile compared to other glucose-lowering agents.. This review discusses data concerning the use of DPP-4is and their cardiovascular profile, and gives an updated comparison with the other oral glucose-lowering medications with regards to safety and efficacy. Currently available original studies, abstracts, reviews articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in the review.. DPP4is are moderately efficient in decreasing the HbA1c by an average of 0.5% as monotherapy, and 1.0% in combination therapy with other drugs. They have a good tolerability and safety profile compared to other glucose-lowering drugs. However, there are possible risks pertaining to acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.. Cardiovascular outcome trials thus far have proven the cardiovascular safety for ischemic events in patients treated with sitagliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin, linagliptin and vildagliptin. Data showing increased rate of hospitalisation in the case of saxagliptin did not seem to be a class effect.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acute Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Odds Ratio; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Risk; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome

The obesity pandemic poses a unique set of problems for acute pancreatitis - both by increasing acute pancreatitis incidence, and worsening acute pancreatitis severity. This review explores these associations, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapies.. We review how the obesity associated increase in gallstones, surgical, and endoscopic interventions for obesity management, diabetes, and related medications such as incretin-based therapies and hypertriglyceridemia may increase the incidence of acute pancreatitis. The mechanism of how obesity may increase acute pancreatitis severity are discussed with a focus on cytokines, adipokines, damage-associated molecular patterns and unsaturated fatty acid-mediated lipotoxicity. The role of obesity in exacerbating pancreatic necrosis is discussed; focusing on obesity-associated pancreatic steatosis. We also discuss how peripancreatic fat necrosis worsens organ failure independent of pancreatic necrosis. Last, we discuss emerging therapies including choice of intravenous fluids and the use of lipase inhibitors which have shown promise during severe acute pancreatitis.. We discuss how obesity may contribute to increasing acute pancreatitis incidence, the role of lipolytic unsaturated fatty acid release in worsening acute pancreatitis, and potential approaches, including appropriate fluid management and lipase inhibition in improving acute pancreatitis outcomes.

Topics: Enzyme Inhibitors; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia; Incretins; Lipase; Lipolysis; Obesity; Pancreatitis; Severity of Illness Index

Incretin-based agents, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1As), work via GLP-1 receptor for hyperglycemic control directly or indirectly, but have different effect on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The present study is to evaluate and compare effects of incretin-based agents on CV and pancreatic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high CV risk.. Six prospective randomized controlled trials (EXMAINE, SAVOR-TIMI53, TECOS, ELIXA, LEADER and SUSTAIN-6), which included three trials for DPP-4Is and three trials for GLP-1As, with 55,248 participants were selected to assess the effect of different categories of incretin-based agents on death, CV outcomes (CV mortality, major adverse CV events, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, heart failure hospitalization), pancreatic events (acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer) as well as on hypoglycemia.. When we evaluated the combined effect of six trials, the results suggested that incretin-based treatment had no significant effect on overall risks of CV and pancreatic outcomes compared with placebo. However, GLP-1As reduced all-cause death (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.98) and CV mortality (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97), whereas DPP-4Is had no significant effect on CV outcomes but elevated the risk for acute pancreatitis (OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.14-2.72) and hypoglycemia (both any and severe hypoglycemia), while GLP-1As lowered the risk of severe hypoglycemia.. GLP-1As decreased risks of all-cause and CV mortality and severe hypoglycemia, whereas DPP-4Is had no effect on CV outcomes but increased risks in acute pancreatitis and hypoglycemia.

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome

In the last couple of years incretin-based antidiabetic drugs became increasingly popular and widely used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. Immediately after launching, case reports and small case series were published on the potential side effects of the new drugs, with special attention to pancreatic disorders such as acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. As clinical observations accumulated, these side-effects were noted with nearly all drugs of this class. Although these side-effects proved to be rare, an intensive debate evolved in the literature. Opinion of diabetes specialists and representatives of pharmaceutical industry as well as position statements of different international scientific boards and health authorities were published. In addition, results of randomized clinical trials with incretin-based therapy and meta-analyses became available. Importantly, in everyday clinical practice, the label of the given drug should be followed. With regards to incretins, physicians should be cautious if pancreatitis in the patients' past medical history is documented. Early differential diagnosis of any abdominal pain during treatment of incretin-based therapy should be made and the drug should be discontinued if pancreatitis is verified. Continuous post-marketing surveillance and side-effect analysis are still justified with incretin-based antidiabetic treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acute Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors

Topics: Cholecystitis; Combined Modality Therapy; Diet Therapy; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Incretins; Liraglutide; Obesity; Overweight; Pancreatitis

Concerns raised by several animal studies, case reports, and pharmacovigilance warnings over incretin-based therapy potentially exposing type two diabetes patients to an elevated risk of pancreatitis have cast a shadow on the overall safety of this class of drugs. This systematic review evaluates the data from observational studies that compared treatment with or without incretins and the risk of pancreatitis. We searched PubMed for publications with the key terms incretins or GLP-1 receptor agonists or DPP-4 inhibitors or sitagliptin or vildagliptin or saxagliptin or linagliptin or alogliptin or exenatide or liraglutide AND pancreatitis in the title or abstract. Studies were evaluated against the following criteria: design (either cohort or case-control); outcome definition (incidence of pancreatitis); exposure definition (new or current or past incretins users); and comparison between patients receiving incretins or not for type 2 diabetes. Two authors independently selected the studies and extracted the data. Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. No difference was found in the overall risk of pancreatitis between incretin users and non-users (odds ratio 1.08; 95 % CI [0.84-1.40]). A risk increase lower than 35 % cannot be excluded according to the power calculation. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that type 2 diabetes patients receiving incretin-based therapy are not exposed to an elevated risk of pancreatitis. Limitations of this analysis are the low prevalence of incretin users and the lack of a clear distinction by the studies between therapy with DPP-4 inhibitors or with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Incretins; Observational Studies as Topic; Pancreatitis

To investigate the real-world incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with incretin-based therapy (IBT).. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies using Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Database, ClinicalTrials.gov and conference proceedings. We included: those studies in which AP was a pre-defined clinical outcome; longitudinal studies (case-control, cohort); studies that adjusted for confounders; studies that reported on a population exposed to IBT; studies in which non-IBT users or past users (who received IBTs >90 days before the index date) were used as the control group; studies that reported risk estimates [relative risks, odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for AP event with IBT use, or that reported sufficient data to estimate these; and publications in the English language. Data were extracted by two independent investigators, and a consensus was reached with involvement of a third. Study-specific ORs from seven cohort studies and two case-control studies were meta-analysed using random-effects models. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different patient characteristics and study quality.. A total of nine studies that included 1,324,515 patients and 5195 cases of AP were included in our meta-analysis. The summary estimate of OR for an association between IBT and AP was 1.03 (95% CI 0.87-1.20).. The present meta-analysis of real-world data does not suggest that IBT is associated with AP. Although we should continue to remain vigilant, IBTs should be regarded as reasonable options to consider adding to the regimen of a patient with type 2 diabetes.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Observational Studies as Topic; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon; Risk Factors

Over the past few years, substantial clinical data have been presented showing that incretin-based therapies are effective glucose-lowering agents. Specifically, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists demonstrate an efficacy comparable to insulin treatment with minimal hypoglycemia and have favorable effects on body weight. Thus, many of the unmet clinical needs noted from prior therapies are addressed by these agents. However, even after many years of use, many continue to raise concerns about the long-term safety of these agents and, in particular, the concern with pancreatitis. This clearly remains a complicated topic. Thus, in this issue of Diabetes Care, we continue to update our readers on this very important issue by presenting two studies evaluating incretin-based medications and risk of pancreatitis. Both have undergone significant revisions based on peer review that provided significant clarification of the data. We applaud both author groups for being extremely responsive in providing the additional data and revisions requested by the editorial team. As such, because of the critical peer review, we feel both articles achieve the high level we require for Diabetes Care and are pleased to now present them to our readers. In keeping with our aim to comprehensively evaluate this topic, we asked for additional commentaries to be prepared. In the narrative outlined below, Dr. Laurent Azoulay provides a commentary about the remaining uncertainty in this area and also discusses the results from a nationwide population-based case-control study. In the narrative preceding Dr. Azoulay's contribution, Prof. Edwin A.M. Gale provides a commentary on the report that focuses on clinical trials of liraglutide in the treatment of diabetes. From the journal's perspective, both of the articles on pancreatitis and incretin-based therapies reported in this issue have been well vetted, and we feel both of the commentaries are insightful.

Topics: Body Weight; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreas; Pancreatitis

Previous studies have offered weak and conflicting evidence regarding the impact of incretin-based oral antihyperglycemic agents on risk of acute pancreatitis. This meta-analysis of three recent mega-trials found an 82% increase in the odds of acute pancreatitis with the use of these agents compared to usual care (95% CI, 1.17-2.82).

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk

The question whether antidiabetes drugs can cause acute pancreatitis dates back to the 1970s. Recently, old concerns have re-emerged following claims that use of incretins, a new class of drugs for type 2 diabetes, might increase the relative risk of acute pancreatitis up to 30-fold. Given that diabetes is per se a potent risk factor for acute pancreatitis and that drug-related acute pancreatitis is rare and difficult to diagnose, we searched the medical databases for information linking acute pancreatitis and type 2 diabetes drugs. Among the biguanides, both phenformin and metformin (the latter in patients with renal insufficiency) have been cited in case reports as a potential cause of acute pancreatitis. Sulphonylureas, as both entire class and single compound (glibenclamide), have also been found in cohort studies to increase its risk. No direct link was found between pancreatic damage and therapy with metaglinide, acarbose, pramlintide or SGLT-2 inhibitors. In animal models, thiazolinediones have demonstrated proprieties to attenuate pancreatic damage, opening perspectives for their use in treating acute pancreatitis in humans. Several case reports and the US Food and Drug Administration pharmacovigilance database indicate an association between acute pancreatitis and incretins, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists. To date, however, a clear-cut odds ratio for this association has been reported in only one of eight pharmacoepidemiological studies. Finally, none of the intervention trials investigating these compounds, including two large randomized controlled trials with cardiovascular endpoints, confirmed the purportedly increased risk of acute pancreatitis with incretin use.

Topics: Biguanides; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Sulfonylurea Compounds

To investigate the risk of pancreatitis associated with the use of incretin-based treatments in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.. Systematic review and meta-analysis.. Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov.. Randomised and non-randomised controlled clinical trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies of treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with placebo, lifestyle modification, or active anti-diabetic drugs.. Pairs of trained reviewers independently screened for eligible studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. A modified Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials and a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies were used to assess bias. We pooled data from randomised controlled trials using Peto odds ratios, and conducted four prespecified subgroup analyses and a post hoc subgroup analysis. Because of variation in outcome measures and forms of data, we describe the results of observational studies without a pooled analysis.. 60 studies (n=353,639), consisting of 55 randomised controlled trials (n=33,350) and five observational studies (three retrospective cohort studies, and two case-control studies; n=320,289) were included. Pooled estimates of 55 randomised controlled trials (at low or moderate risk of bias involving 37 pancreatitis events, raw event rate 0.11%) did not suggest an increased risk of pancreatitis with incretins versus control (odds ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 2.17). Estimates by type of incretin suggested similar results (1.05 (0.37 to 2.94) for GLP-1 agonists v control; 1.06 (0.46 to 2.45) for DPP-4 inhibitors v control). Analyses according to the type of control, mode, duration of treatment, and individual incretin agents suggested no differential effect by subgroups, and sensitivity analyses by alternative statistical modelling and effect measures did not show important differences in effect estimates. Three retrospective cohort studies (moderate to high risk of bias, involving 1466 pancreatitis events, raw event rate 0.47%) also did not suggest an increased risk of pancreatitis associated with either exenatide (adjusted odds ratios 0.93 (0.63 to 1.36) in one study and 0.9 (0.6 to 1.5) in another) or sitagliptin (adjusted hazard ratio 1.0, 0.7 to 1.3); a case-control study at moderate risk of bias (1003 cases, 4012 controls) also suggested no significant association (adjusted odds ratio 0.98, 0.69 to 1.38). Another case-control study (1269 cases, 1269 controls) at moderate risk of bias, however, suggested that the use of either exenatide or sitagliptin was associated with significantly increased odds of acute pancreatitis (use within two years v no use, adjusted odds ratio 2.07, 1.36 to 3.13).. The available evidence suggests that the incidence of pancreatitis among patients using incretins is low and that the drugs do not increase the risk of pancreatitis. Current evidence, however, is not definitive, and more carefully designed and conducted observational studies are warranted to definitively establish the extent, if any, of increased risk.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptors, Glucagon

Signals from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) and pre-clinical and human pancreata obtained from organ donors have suggested that incretin-based therapies used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) and pancreatic cancer (PC). However, data from observational studies and randomized trials have been conflicting. We conducted a literature review to identify and summarize all observational data published assessing the pancreatic safety of incretins.. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed and Embase using the key terms for the time period of 1 January 2005, to 12 February 2014. A total of 180 articles were screened in abstract form and 49 were subsequently reviewed in full text for inclusion. Data from 12 articles are included in this report.. Data from the FDA AERS database suggest increased risk of AP and PC with GLP-1 receptor agonist and DPP-4 inhibitor use. These findings are not supported by population-based observational studies for either AP or PC; however, studies assessing the relationship between PC and incretin-based therapies are limited.. Current evidence is conflicting and inadequate to conclude whether use of incretin-based therapies increases the risk of AP and PC. Further studies, with the ability to provide long term follow-up, are needed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incidence; Incretins; Observational Studies as Topic; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are new options in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, due to accumulating reports on the occurrence of acute pancreatitis (AP), a suspicion of an association between incretin-based therapies and pancreatic disease has arisen.. A review of the literature on the safety of incretin-based therapies in regard to AP and pancreatic cancer was undertaken with discussion of potential mechanisms as well as limitations.. Until now, several preclinical and clinical studies have been published; however, they present conflicting results. Common risk factors, low incidence rates, long latency periods (in regard to pancreatic malignancy), lack of availability of human pancreatic tissues during lifetime among others hamper the confirmation or exclusion of a causal association. The results of the ongoing large randomized controlled trials will add further data. In line with current recommendations by European Medicines Agency and FDA, incretin-based therapies should be discontinued in patients with suspicion of AP, and incretin mimetics should not be administered to patients with a history of AP. However, based on current knowledge, there is no sound reason for depriving type 2 diabetic patients in general of a beneficial and effective therapy. However, this conclusion cannot be final and should be subject to constant reevaluation and, if necessary, change.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Incretins; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) are a new group of drugs with a glucose-lowering action due to their incretin effect. The GLP-1 receptor is expressed in various human tissues, which could be related to the pleiotropic effects of human GLP-1, as well as to the adverse effects described in patients treated with GLP-1ra. The risk of hypoglycaemia is low, which is one of the main considerations in the safety of this family of compounds and is also important to patients with diabetes. The most frequent adverse effect is nausea, which usually occurs at the start of treatment and is transient in 20-60% of affected patients. This article also reviews the information available on antibody formation, the potential effect on the thyroid gland, and the controversial association between this group of drugs with pancreatitis and cancer.

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Nausea; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Thyroid Neoplasms

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) are a new group of drugs with a glucose-lowering action due to their incretin effect. The GLP-1 receptor is expressed in various human tissues, which could be related to the pleiotropic effects of human GLP-1, as well as to the adverse effects described in patients treated with GLP-1ra. The risk of hypoglycaemia is low, which is one of the main considerations in the safety of this family of compounds and is also important to patients with diabetes. The most frequent adverse effect is nausea, which usually occurs at the start of treatment and is transient in 20-60% of affected patients. This article also reviews the information available on antibody formation, the potential effect on the thyroid gland, and the controversial association between this group of drugs with pancreatitis and cancer.

Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Blood Pressure; Carcinoma, Medullary; Cardiotonic Agents; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gastrointestinal Motility; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Heart; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Lipids; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Nausea; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon; Rodentia; Species Specificity; Thyroid Neoplasms; Vomiting

Recent suggestions that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies could cause pancreatitis, and even pancreatic cancer, are based on:. The worrying histological changes are not reproduced in all studies and are unexpectedly variable with different GLP-1-based therapies.. Singh's findings that pancreatitis is doubled with GLP-1-based therapies could relate to their use in obese patients who are prone to pancreatitis risk factors--gallstones and hypertriglyceridaemia. The other observational studies do not find an association between GLP-1-based therapies and pancreatitis.. The increased reports of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are likely to be attributable to 'notoriety bias'.. Butler's findings for those on GLP-1-based therapies vs. those not, could have other explanations. Meanwhile: META ANALYSIS: Randomized control trials with GLP-1-based therapies do not find increased pancreatitis risk. Meta-analysis of 53 randomized controlled trials including 20 212 dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor-treated patients found a significantly reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events [odds ratio 0.689 (0.528-0.899), P = 0.006] for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors compared with control subjects.. The evidence suggests that there is more than a possibility that some of the GLP-1 receptor agonists, and possibly also some dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, may be associated with reduced cardiovascular events. Eight ongoing long-term cardiovascular randomized controlled trials will report from September 2013 onwards. These trials should resolve the issue of pancreatitis risk and substantiate the extent of benefit.. Whilst we should remain vigilant, currently the balance of evidence is strongly in support of GLP-1-based therapy, with benefits far outweighing potential risks.

Topics: Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Angiopathies; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Exenatide; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Incretins; Liraglutide; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Patient Selection; Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptors, Glucagon; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Venoms

Although several classes of pharmacotherapy are available for type 2 diabetes, glycaemic control is often hampered by medication-related adverse effects and contraindications such as renal impairment. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists provide a new pharmacotherapeutic option based on the multiple glucose-lowering effects of the human hormone GLP-1. This mechanism of action not only provides therapeutic efficacy but also suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists have distinct safety and tolerability concerns compared with other diabetes therapies. Stimulation of pancreatic insulin secretion by GLP-1 receptor agonists is glucose dependent, conferring a lesser risk of hypoglycaemia than that seen with sulfonylureas. Individual GLP-1 receptor agonists differ in their metabolism and excretion profiles, affecting the choice of agent for patients with renal impairment. As with other protein-based therapies, GLP-1 receptor agonists may induce the formation of antibodies that may attenuate therapeutic efficacy and affect safety. Conclusions on cardiovascular safety must await outcomes studies, but at present no signal of harm has been reported, and preclinical data and effects on risk markers suggest a potential for benefit. Current data on thyroid medullary cancer in humans and pancreatic malignancy in rodents do not suggest that there is any reason to restrict the clinical use of GLP-1 analogues in most people with diabetes. It is currently difficult to ascertain the possible contributory role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in increasing the risk of pancreatitis, and vigilance for signs and symptoms is prudent. Primary tolerability issues include transient gastrointestinal symptoms, common with GLP-1 receptor agonists, which can be reduced through dose titration.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Exenatide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Incretins; Liraglutide; Nausea; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptors, Glucagon; Thyroid Gland; Venoms; Vomiting

Established therapies for type-2 diabetes effectively reduce blood glucose, but are often associated with adverse effects that pose risks to patient's health or diminish adherence to treatment. Weight gain, hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly reported and some agents may not be safe for use in patients with renal impairment or elevated cardiovascular risk. New treatments based on the action of the endogenous human hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), including exenatide and liraglutide, are available. These therapies provide a novel pharmacological approach to glycaemic control via multiple mechanisms of action, and accordingly exhibit different safety and tolerability profiles than conventional treatments. GLP-1 receptor agonists stimulate insulin release only in the presence of elevated blood glucose and are therefore associated with a fairly low risk of hypoglycaemia. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common but transient, and there appears to be little potential for interaction with other drugs. GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with weight loss rather than weight gain. As protein-based therapies, these agents have the potential to induce antibody formation, but the impact on efficacy and safety is minor. GLP-1 receptor agonists thus offer a new and potentially useful option for clinicians concerned about some of the common adverse effects of type-2 diabetes therapies.

Topics: Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Interactions; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Heart Diseases; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Insulin; Kidney Diseases; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon; Sulfonylurea Compounds; Thiazolidinediones; Thyroid Diseases

The metabolic abnormalities that lead to diabetes mellitus (DM) after an episode of acute pancreatitis (AP) have not been extensively studied. This article describes the objectives, hypotheses, and methods of mechanistic studies of glucose metabolism that comprise secondary outcomes of the DREAM (Diabetes RElated to Acute pancreatitis and its Mechanisms) Study.. Three months after an index episode of AP, participants without preexisting DM will undergo baseline testing with an oral glucose tolerance test. Participants will be followed longitudinally in three subcohorts with distinct metabolic tests. In the first and largest subcohort, oral glucose tolerance tests will be repeated 12 months after AP and annually to assess changes in β-cell function, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. In the second, mixed meal tolerance tests will be performed at 3 and 12 months, then annually, and following incident DM to assess incretin and pancreatic polypeptide responses. In the third, frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests will be performed at 3 months and 12 months to assess the first-phase insulin response and more precisely measure β-cell function and insulin sensitivity.. The DREAM study will comprehensively assess the metabolic and endocrine changes that precede and lead to the development of DM after AP.

Topics: Acute Disease; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Glucose; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Incretins; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Pancreatic Polypeptide; Pancreatitis

The US Sentinel System and the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) are two medical product safety surveillance networks. Using Sentinel's preprogrammed, parameterizable analytic tools, we reproduced two protocol-based studies conducted by CNODES to assess the risks of acute pancreatitis and heart failure (HF) associated with the use of incretin-based drugs, compared with use of ≥ 2 oral hypoglycemic agents. Results from the replication new-user cohort analyses aligned with those from the CNODES nested case-control studies. The adjusted hazard ratios were 0.95 (0.81-1.12; vs. 1.03 (0.87-1.22) in CNODES) for acute pancreatitis and 0.91 (0.84-1.00; vs. 0.82 (0.67-1.00) in CNODES) for HF among patients without HF history. The CNODES's common protocol approach allows studies tailored to specific safety questions, whereas the Sentinel's common data model plus pretested program approach enables more rapid analysis. Despite these differences, it is possible to obtain comparable results using both approaches.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Canada; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Retrospective Studies; United States; Young Adult

Whilst clinical guidelines exist for the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes, many underlying assumptions are still not qualified by convincing evidence. In this commentary, it is argued that fundamental issues still cloud clinical practice, such as biases in the design of clinical studies, the association between glucose control & clinical outcomes, and the safety of exposure to exogenous insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs. Relevant scientific evidence and alternative opinions about important issues continue to be largely ignored, and no effort has been made to resolve these questions. This may have had serious consequences, such as stifling innovation because there are no further benefits to be achieved in relation to glucose control.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Blood Glucose; Clinical Decision-Making; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Endpoint Determination; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Insulin; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Uncertainty

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are useful incretin-based antidiabetes drugs. However, there is a concern that DPP-4i may adversely impact the exocrine pancreas, owing to their pleiotropic effects. In this study, we investigated whether DPP-4i are associated with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer using a nationwide population-based cohort study.. We included patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who were treated with antidiabetes drugs (. Out of 33,208 subjects, 10,218 were new users of DPP-4i and 22,990 were new users of other antidiabetes drugs. DPP-4i significantly increased the risks of pancreatitis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52;. DPP-4i use is associated with increased risks of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. However, the absence of increasing trend according to exposure duration suggests the chances of reverse causality, and long-term pancreatic safety of DPP-4i has to be further investigated.

Topics: Aged; Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Factors

In people with metformin-treated diabetes, to evaluate the risk of acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas post second-line anti-hyperglycaemic agent initiation.. People with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed after 2004 who received metformin plus a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i, n = 50 095), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA, n = 12 654), sulfonylurea (n = 110 747), thiazolidinedione (n = 17 597) or insulin (n = 34 805) for at least 3 months were identified in the US Centricity Electronic Medical Records. Time to developing acute pancreatitis, other diseases of the pancreas and pancreatic cancer was estimated, balancing and adjusting anti-hyperglycaemic drug groups for appropriate confounders.. In the DPP-4i group, the adjusted mean time to acute pancreatitis was 2.63 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.38, 2.88] years; time to pancreatic cancer was 2.70 (2.19, 3.21) years; and time to other diseases of the pancreas was 2.73 (2.33, 3.12) years. Compared with DPP-4i, the insulin group developed acute pancreatitis 0.48 years (P < 0.01) earlier and the GLP-1RA group developed pancreatic cancer 3 years later (P < 0.01). However, with the constraint of no event within 6 months of insulin initiation, the risk of acute pancreatitis in the insulin group was insignificant. No other significant differences were observed between groups.. No significant differences in the risk of developing pancreatic diseases in those treated with various anti-hyperglycaemic drug classes were found.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Insulin; Male; Metformin; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Diseases; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

Both acute pancreatitis (AP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) have been areas of focus for studies of incretin drugs. This 5-year prospective cohort study aimed to quantify possible associations between liraglutide and risk of AP and PC as compared to other antidiabetic drugs (ADs).. Patients initiating liraglutide or other ADs who were enrolled in a US health plan (2010-2014) were included. Comparisons of AP and PC incidence rates were made between matched cohorts of liraglutide initiators and initiators of other ADs. Adjudicated AP cases and algorithm-based PC cases were identified. Propensity score-matched intention-to-treat (ITT) and time-on-drug (TOD) analyses were completed using Poisson regression. A latency analysis was performed for PC.. Median follow-up was 405 days for AP cohorts (9995 liraglutide, 1:1 matched to all comparators) and 503 days for PC cohorts (35 163 liraglutide, 1:1 matched to all comparators). In the primary AP analysis, "current" use of liraglutide was not significantly associated with elevated risk across comparators (all comparators relative risk [RR] = 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-2.3). ITT results were similar where, in the primary analysis, no RRs were significantly associated with PC (all comparators RR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3-1.4); latency and TOD analyses did not alter findings. There was no evidence of a dose-response effect.. Liraglutide was not associated with an increased risk of AP or PC, although risk estimates were more variable for AP, and numbers of cases for both outcomes were limited because of the rarity of outcomes.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Insurance, Health; Liraglutide; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Prospective Studies; United States

Incretin therapy is one of the most potential approaches in the treatment of diabetes. In contrast to markedly available drugs, the herbal incretin modulators have lesser side effects with low economic cost. The main aim of this work was to analyze the potential of previously reported DPPIV inhibitor, aqueous extract of Pueraria tuberosa tubers (PTY-2) as incretin hormones receptor agonist against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.. Chronic diabetes was induced with STZ (65mg/kg bw) in rats for 60days and grouped into diabetic control and PTY-2. Expression of genes was assessed by PCR, IHC, and ELISA. Morphological analysis of tissue was observed using H & E stain. In silico molecular docking approach has been used to see the interaction of active phytochemicals of PTY-2 on the basis of their binding energy [kcal/mol] and dissociation constant [pM] using YASARA software. Interactive visualization was done using Discovery studio 3.0.. In comparison to diabetic control, the size and number of islet cells along with the plasma level of GLP-1, GIP, and pancreatic expressions of GLP-1R, GIP-R, Bcl2, and insulin were enhanced significantly after PTY-2 treatment. Through in silico molecular docking, tuberostan showed the best interaction for GLP-1R with binding energy at 8.15kcal/mol and dissociation constant at 1061624.125 pM. Puererone showed the best interaction for GIP-R with binding energy at 8.31kcal/mol and dissociation constant at 810381 pM.. In addition to previously studied DPPIV inhibitor, PTY-2 also acts as incretin receptors agonist and protects against STZ-induced diabetes by down regulating β cells apoptosis.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Insulin; Male; Molecular Docking Simulation; Pancreatitis; Plant Extracts; Protein Binding; Pueraria; Rats; Signal Transduction

To determine the association between the use of incretin agents (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the risk of any, acute and chronic pancreatitis.. A population-based cohort study was conducted using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD 2007-2012). A total of 182 428 adult patients with ≥1 non-insulin antidiabetic drug (NIAD) prescription were matched to control subjects without diabetes. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of pancreatitis in incretin-users (N = 28 370) compared with controls and with other NIAD users. Adjustments were made for lifestyle, disease and drug history. In a sensitivity analysis, a new-user design was used.. Current incretin users had a 1.5-fold increased risk of any pancreatitis compared with NIAD users (adjusted HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04). In incident current incretin users the risk of any and acute pancreatitis was increased 2.1- and 2.0-fold compared with NIAD users (adjusted HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.31-3.43 and adjusted HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.13-3.41), whereas there was no increased risk found for chronic pancreatitis.. Incretin use was associated with an increased risk of any pancreatitis. Moreover, risk of any and acute pancreatitis was higher when applying a new-user design. We were not able to detect an association with chronic pancreatitis, but the number in this subgroup was small.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Pancreatitis, Chronic; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Factors; United Kingdom; Young Adult

Incretin-based therapies are normally prescribed to individuals with type 2 diabetes but has recently come under scrutiny due to the possibility of associated pancreatitis. A 2014 systematic review published in the BMJ found no increase risk of acute pancreatitis in adults with type 2 diabetes, as partly evident from the meta-analysis of RCTs (OR=1.11, 95% CI 0.57-2.17). By contrast, a second meta-analysis added 3 large outcome trials in patients with previous cardiovascular disease to the previous 55 RCTs from Li et al. and showed an increased risk in acute pancreatitis. While the discrepancy in result may be due to better quality large trials, as the authors suggest, it is likely that since the large outcome trials investigated patients with cardiovascular disease, the increased risk is present only in this group.

Topics: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Pancreatitis; Risk Factors

The association between incretin-based drugs, such as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, and acute pancreatitis is controversial.. To determine whether the use of incretin-based drugs, compared with the use of 2 or more other oral antidiabetic drugs, is associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis.. A large, international, multicenter, population-based cohort study was conducted using combined health records from 7 participating sites in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. An overall cohort of 1 532 513 patients with type 2 diabetes initiating the use of antidiabetic drugs between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2013, was included, with follow-up until June 30, 2014.. Current use of incretin-based drugs compared with current use of at least 2 oral antidiabetic drugs.. Nested case-control analyses were conducted including hospitalized patients with acute pancreatitis matched with up to 20 controls on sex, age, cohort entry date, duration of treated diabetes, and follow-up duration. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for hospitalized acute pancreatitis were estimated and compared current use of incretin-based drugs with current use of 2 or more oral antidiabetic drugs. Secondary analyses were performed to assess whether the risk varied by class of drug (DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists) or by duration of use. Site-specific HRs were pooled using random-effects models.. Of 1 532 513 patients included in the analysis, 781 567 (51.0%) were male; mean age was 56.6 years. During 3 464 659 person-years of follow-up, 5165 patients were hospitalized for acute pancreatitis (incidence rate, 1.49 per 1000 person-years). Compared with current use of 2 or more oral antidiabetic drugs, current use of incretin-based drugs was not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis (pooled adjusted HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.87-1.22). Similarly, the risk did not vary by drug class (DPP-4 inhibitors: pooled adjusted HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.86-1.22; GLP-1 agonists: pooled adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.81-1.35) and there was no evidence of a duration-response association.. In this large population-based study, use of incretin-based drugs was not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis compared with other oral antidiabetic drugs.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Canada; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; United Kingdom; United States; Young Adult

Incretin-based therapies are widely used for type 2 diabetes and now also for obesity, but they are associated with elevated plasma levels of pancreatic enzymes and perhaps a modestly increased risk of acute pancreatitis. However, little is known about the effects of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) on the exocrine pancreas. Here, we identify GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic acini and analyze the impact of receptor activation in humans, rodents, isolated acini, and cell lines from the exocrine pancreas. GLP-1 did not directly stimulate amylase or lipase release. However, we saw that GLP-1 induces phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and activation of Foxo1, resulting in cell growth with concomitant enzyme release. Our work uncovers GLP-1-induced signaling pathways in the exocrine pancreas and suggests that increases in amylase and lipase levels in subjects treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists reflect adaptive growth rather than early-stage pancreatitis.

Topics: Acinar Cells; Amylases; Animals; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Forkhead Box Protein O1; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Incretins; Lipase; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Signal Transduction

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Incretins; Observational Studies as Topic; Pancreatitis

Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis

To investigate whether the use of incretin-based drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 [DPP4] inhibitors) is associated with acute pancreatitis.. The study was a nationwide population-based case-control study using medical databases in Denmark. Participants were 12,868 patients with a first-time hospitalization for acute pancreatitis between 2005 and 2012 and a population of 128,680 matched control subjects. The main outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) for acute pancreatitis associated with different antihyperglycemic drugs. We adjusted for history of gallstones, alcoholism, obesity, and other pancreatitis-associated comorbidities and medications.. A total of 89 pancreatitis patients (0.69%) and 684 control subjects (0.53%) were ever users of incretins. The crude OR for acute pancreatitis among incretin users was 1.36 (95% CI 1.08-1.69), while it was 1.44 (95% CI 1.34-1.54) among users of other antihyperglycemic drugs. After confounder adjustment, the risk of acute pancreatitis was not increased among incretin users (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.75-1.21]), including DPP4 inhibitor users (OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.80-1.37]) or GLP-1 receptor agonist users (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.54-1.23]), or among nonincretin antihyperglycemic drug users (OR 1.05 [95% CI 0.98-1.13]), compared with nonusers of any antihyperglycemic drugs. Findings were similar in current versus ever drug users and in patients with pancreatitis risk factors. The adjusted OR comparing incretin-based therapy with other antihyperglycemic therapy internally while also adjusting for diabetes duration and complications was 0.97 (95% CI 0.76-1.23).. Our findings suggest that the use of incretin-based drugs appears not to be associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Databases, Factual; Denmark; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Young Adult

To assess the association between use of incretin-based drugs for diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of acute pancreatitis. A population-based, nested case-control study was performed within a cohort of 166,591 patients from the Lombardy region (Italy) aged 40 years or older who were newly treated with oral antihyperglycaemic agents between 2004 and 2007. Cases were 666 patients who experienced acute pancreatitis from April 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012. For each case patient, up to 20 controls were randomly selected from the cohort and matched on gender, age at cohort entry, and date of index prescription. Conditional logistic regression was used to model the risk of acute pancreatitis associated with use of incretin-based drugs within 30 days before hospitalization, after adjustment for several risk factors, including the use of other antihyperglycaemic agents. Sensitivity analyses were performed in order to account for possible sources of systematic uncertainty. Use of incretin-based drugs within 30 days was reported by 17 (2.6%) cases of acute pancreatitis versus 193 (1.5%) controls. The corresponding multivariate odds ratio was 1.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 2.99). Slightly lower and no significant excess risks were observed by shortening (15 days) and increasing (60 and 90 days) the time-window at risk. This study supports a possible increased risk of acute pancreatitis in relation to use of incretin-based drugs reported in a few previous studies. However, given the potential for bias and the inconsistency with other studies, additional investigations are needed to clarify the safety of incretin-based-drugs.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Databases, Factual; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Italy; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pancreatitis; Prevalence; Risk Factors

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

New incretin-mimetics increased the treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies on the safety of incretin-based therapy showed a risk of hypersensitivity reactions, acute pancreatitis, renal failure, infection, thyroid and pancreas cancer. We contributed to safety assessment of these new drugs by evaluating the spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting in Italy.. Reports of suspected ADRs associated with incretin-mimetics were selected from the Italian Spontaneous ADR Reporting Database. For a subgroup of cases belonging to the Hospital of Cento (Ferrara), levels of pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, before and after the therapy with the incretin-mimetics were available.. As of December 2012, the reports of ADR associated with hypoglycemic drugs (excluding insulin) were 2443, 1169 (47.85%) concerned the incretin-mimetics. A total of 90 reports described pancreatitis (44) and elevated pancreatic enzymes (46). Out of 90 cases, 34 were serious (37%). Data on amylase/lipase values for 10 patients were provided and an analysis of the published literature was performed.. Our data from the daily clinical practice add up and confirm the information available on the association between incretin-mimetics and pancreatic damage and suggest caution in the prescribing of these new drugs and a close monitoring of exposed patients.

Topics: Adult; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Aged; Databases, Factual; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Humans; Incretins; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Young Adult

Glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies, collectively described as incretins, produce glycemic benefits in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent publications raised concern for a potential increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer with incretins based in part on findings from a small number of rodents. However, extensive toxicology assessments in a substantial number of animals dosed up to 2 years at high multiples of human exposure do not support these concerns. We hypothesized that the lesions being attributed to incretins are commonly observed background findings and endeavored to characterize the incidence of spontaneous pancreatic lesions in three rat strains (Sprague-Dawley [S-D] rats, Zucker diabetic fatty [ZDF] rats, and rats expressing human islet amyloid polypeptide [HIP]; n = 36/group) on a normal or high-fat diet over 4 months. Pancreatic findings in all groups included focal exocrine degeneration, atrophy, inflammation, ductular cell proliferation, and/or observations in large pancreatic ducts similar to those described in the literature, with an incidence of exocrine atrophy/inflammation seen in S-D (42-72%), HIP (39%), and ZDF (6%) rats. These data indicate that the pancreatic findings attributed to incretins are common background findings, observed without drug treatment and independent of diet or glycemic status, suggesting a need to exercise caution when interpreting the relevance of some recent reports regarding human safety.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet, High-Fat; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Incretins; Pancreas; Pancreatic Diseases; Pancreatitis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Zucker; Weight Gain

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Approval; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; European Union; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Mice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Rats; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

Previous studies have yielded conflicting results about the association between incretin therapies and acute pancreatitis. We aimed to compare the occurrence of acute pancreatitis in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes who received incretins compared with those who received other antidiabetic treatment.. In our population-based matched case-control study, we extracted information from an administrative database from Piedmont, Italy (containing data for 4·4 million inhabitants). From a dataset of 282,429 patients receiving treatment with antidiabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes, we identified 1003 cases older than 41 years who had been admitted to hospital for acute pancreatitis between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2012, and 4012 controls who were matched for sex, age, and time of start of antidiabetic therapy. We compared incretin exposure in cases and controls with a conditional logistic regression model, expressed as odds ratios (ORs [95% CI]). We adjusted all analyses for risk factors of acute pancreatitis, as ascertained by hospital discharge records, and concomitant use of metformin or glibenclamide.. The mean age of cases and controls (72·2 years [SD 11·1]) was high, as expected in an unselected diabetic population in Europe. After adjustment for available confounders, use of incretins in the 6 months before hospital admission was not associated with increased risk of acute pancreatitis (OR 0·98, 95% CI 0·69-1·38; p=0·8958).. Our findings suggest that, in an unselected population, use of incretins is not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. Larger studies are needed to clarify whether age or type of incretin therapy could affect the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes.. Chaira Medica Association, Chieri, Italy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Europe; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Logistic Models; Male; Odds Ratio; Pancreatitis; Patient Discharge; Risk Factors

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

To determine whether the use of incretin based drugs, compared with sulfonylureas, is associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis.. Population based cohort study.. 680 general practices in the United Kingdom contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.. From 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2012, 20 748 new users of incretin based drugs were compared with 51 712 users of sulfonylureas and followed up until 31 March 2013.. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for acute pancreatitis in users of incretin based drugs compared with users of sulfonylureas. Models were adjusted for tenths of high dimensional propensity score (hdPS).. The crude incidence rate for acute pancreatitis was 1.45 per 1000 patients per year (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 2.11) for incretin based drug users and 1.47 (1.23 to 1.76) for sulfonylurea users. The rate of acute pancreatitis associated with the use of incretin based drugs was not increased (hdPS adjusted hazard ratio: 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 1.70) relative to sulfonylurea use.. Compared with use of sulfonylureas, the use of incretin based drugs is not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. While this study is reassuring, it does not preclude a modest increased risk, and thus additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Topics: Acute Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Sulfonylurea Compounds

A manuscript published recently on histological changes induced in the pancreas by incretin-based medications has been widely criticized because of ill-matched groups treated with incretin-based versus non-incretin-based medications and because of methodological problems identifying glucagon-producing cells. Now a study making use of the same tissue bank is available, and does not easily confirm the bulk of findings originally reported. This is an important opportunity to discuss the responsibility of authors to publish results potentially reproducible by other scientists as an important quality criterion, and the responsibility of reviewers and editors in handling such manuscripts. The main conclusion is that attempts to reproduce controversial findings are a necessity if finally the essence of novel results is at stake.

Topics: Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Research Design; Tissue Banks

As the incidence of acute pancreatitis continues to rise, establishing the etiology in order to prevent recurrence is important. Although the etiology of acute pancreatitis is not difficult in the majority of patients, almost a quarter of patients are initially labeled as having idiopathic acute pancreatitis. When confronted with a patient with acute pancreatitis and no clear etiology defined as an absence alcoholism, gallstones (ultrasound and/or MRI), a normal triglyceride level, and absence of tumor, it often appears reasonable to consider a drug as the cause of acute pancreatitis. Over 100 drugs have been implicated by case reports as causing acute pancreatitis. While some of these case reports are well written, many case reports represent poorly written experiences of the clinician simply implicating a drug without a careful evaluation. Over-reliance on case reports while ignoring randomized clinical trials and large pharmacoepidemiologic surveys has led to confusion about drug induced acute pancreatitis. This review will explain that drug induced acute pancreatitis does occur, but it is rare, and over diagnosis leads to misconceptions about the disease resulting in inappropriate patient care, increased litigation and a failure to address the true entity: idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Animals; Diagnostic Errors; Exenatide; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Venoms

Topics: Acute Disease; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Exenatide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Metaphor; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Pyrazines; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Treatment Outcome; Triazoles; Venoms

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Exenatide; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Pyrazines; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Triazoles; Venoms

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hyperplasia; Incretins; Metaplasia; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; England; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Thyroid Neoplasms; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Topics: Acute Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Liraglutide; Pancreas; Pancreatitis

A recent autopsy analysis asserted that incretin drugs have the potential of increasing the risk for pancreatic cancer and for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. We examined the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD) database from which that analysis was derived. Our findings raise important questions about the comparability of the two groups of diabetes patients used for the analysis. Our review of the data available on the nPOD Web site and our reading of the earlier article lead us to the conclusion that the data, and the implications of the data, as expressed by the authors of the autopsy analysis are vastly overstated and are a misrepresentation of the information available.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Databases, Factual; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Exenatide; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Statistical; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Pyrazines; Receptors, Glucagon; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Tissue Banks; Triazoles; Venoms; Young Adult

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Angiopathies; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Blood Glucose; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Angiopathies; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incidence; Incretins; Nausea; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Glucagon; Treatment Outcome; United States; Vomiting

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Angiopathies; Female; Humans; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreas; Pancreatitis

We herein report two cases of pancreatitis associated with incretin-based therapies in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing dialysis. A 75-year-old woman with a history of liraglutide use and a 68-year-old man with a history of vildagliptin use both presented with nausea. They showed elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes and pancreatic tail swelling on CT. Their symptoms improved after discontinuing the drugs. In the absence of any obvious secondary causes of pancreatitis, we believe that the pancreatitis observed in these cases was associated with the incretin-based therapies. Few reports have been published on the safety and efficacy of incretin-based therapies in ESRD patients, and it remains uncertain whether the changes in the pancreas observed in the present cases are characteristic of ESRD patients.

Topics: Adamantane; Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Nephropathies; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Incretins; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Liraglutide; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nitriles; Pancreatitis; Pyrrolidines; Renal Dialysis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vildagliptin

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Industry; Editorial Policies; Exenatide; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Periodicals as Topic; Pyrazines; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Triazoles; Venoms

The incretin system plays an important role in glucose homeostasis, largely through the actions of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Unlike GIP, the actions of GLP-1 are preserved in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which has led to the development of injectable GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists and oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. GLP-1R agonists-which can be dosed to pharmacologic levels-act directly upon the GLP-1R. In contrast, DPP-4 inhibitors work indirectly by inhibiting the enzymatic inactivation of native GLP-1, resulting in a modest increase in endogenous GLP-1 levels. GLP-1R agonists generally lower the fasting and postprandial glucose levels more than DPP-4 inhibitors, resulting in a greater mean reduction in glycated hemoglobin level with GLP-1R agonists (0.4%-1.7%) compared with DPP-4 inhibitors (0.4%-1.0%). GLP-1R agonists also promote satiety and reduce total caloric intake, generally resulting in a mean weight loss of 1 to 4 kg over several months in most patients, whereas DPP-4 inhbitors are weight-neutral overall. GLP-1R agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors are generally safe and well tolerated. The glucose-dependent manner of stimulation of insulin release and inhibition of glucagon secretion by both GLP-1R agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors contribute to the low incidence of hypoglycemia. Although transient nausea occurs in 26% to 28% of patients treated with GLP-1R agonists but not DPP-4 inhibitors, this can be reduced by using a dose-escalation strategy. Other adverse events (AEs) associated with GLP-1R agonists include diarrhea, headache, and dizziness. The main AEs associated with DPP-4 inhibitors include upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and headache. Overall, compared with other therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus with similar efficacy, incretin-based agents have low risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. However, GLP-1R agonists demonstrate greater comparative efficacy and weight benefit than DPP-4 inhibitors.

Topics: Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Hypersensitivity; Exenatide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Homeostasis; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Liraglutide; Pancreatitis; Peptides; Receptors, Glucagon; Venoms

In 2007 a question was raised about the causal relationship between the first of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, exenatide, and pancreatitis, as postmarketing reports of pancreatitis in patients treated with this agent had been received by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There had been six reports of hemorrhagic pancreatitis, with two of the cases resulting in death. An update of the package insert for Byetta was mandated. Sitagliptin entered the market about a year and a half later, and now there are similar reports of acute pancreatitis. As the number of patients treated with these agents increases, is it uncovering a risk not appreciated in the premarket phase or just what should be expected from the population treated with these agents? To date, 88 cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported to the FDA in patients taking sitagliptin (Januvia/Janumet). Of these, two cases have been hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. A revision of the package insert for sitagliptin has been made recently. An examination of available data should help shed light on whether the relation is likely causal or merely incidental.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Combinations; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Pancreatitis; Risk Factors; Young Adult

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Male; Pancreatitis; Risk; Young Adult