Vildagliptin: a new oral treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Vildagliptin is a new oral antidiabetic agent that enhances pancreatic islet cell responsiveness to glucose. An extensive clinical program involving approximately 22,000 patients and 7000 patient-years of exposure to vildagliptin has shown that the agent is well tolerated and efficacious in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Monotherapy trials have shown that significant HbA1c lowering is accompanied by body weight-neutral and lipid-neutral effects, low risk of edema, and low risk of hypoglycemia. These characteristics make vildagliptin a favorable partner for combination therapy. Studies of vildagliptin as an add-on to metformin have shown significant improvements in glycemic control (comparable to that of thiazolidinedione add-on), with the combination being well tolerated and associated with low risks for hypoglycemia and adverse effects on weight or lipid levels. Good tolerability and clinically relevant improvements in glycemic control have also been observed with vildagliptin as an add-on treatment to sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, or insulin treatment or in initial combination treatment with pioglitazone. Improved beta-cell function and glycemic control have been shown with vildagliptin in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and in T2DM patients with mild hyperglycemia, with some evidence in the latter suggesting the potential for modifying disease course.

Keywords: add-on treatment; diabetes; hypoglycemia; incretin; metformin; vildagliptin.

Figure 1

Mean HbA1c ± SE in patients receiving vildagliptin qd or bid or placebo as an add-on to metformin therapy (≥1500 mg/d). Reproduced with permission from Bosi E, Camisasca RP, Collober C, et al 2007a. Effects of vildagliptin on glucose control over 24 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. Diabetes Care, 30:890–5. Copyright © 2007 American Diabetes Association.

Figure 2

Mean HbA1c ± SE in patients receiving vildagliptin or pioglitazone as an add-on to ongoing metformin therapy (≥1500 mg/d). Bolli G, Dotta F, Rochotte E, Cohen SE. 2008. Efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin vs pioglitazone when added to metformin: a 24-week, randomized, double-blind study. Diabetes Obes Metab, 10:82–90. Copyright © Blackwell Publishing.