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Abstract

The clinical and practical consideration of GLP1RAs has risen incredibly to treat T2DM since the development of Dulaglutide- a once-weekly formulation with the combined positive effects on both glucose control and weight management, along with the potential reduction in cardio-renal outcomes.

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a prevailing disease that influences the way a body handles glucose, a kind of sugar, in the blood. Most of the population suffers from Type 2 Diabetes condition.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent worldwide and is associated with abdominal obesity in genetically susceptible individuals. T2DM can cause severe vascular complications harming the individual & reducing life expectancy. To avoid the complications of T2DM a patient-centred approach is recommended with metformin and lifestyle modifications as first-line therapy for most of the individuals. Sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (gliptins), sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (gliflozins), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) and insulin are currently available for the options as the Second-line agents. Also, fixed combined doses are also available for T2DM as few individuals need combination therapy. The patient characteristic, preferably patient’s body weight, and the property of the drug is extremely important and should be taken into consideration while opting for second line agents/combined therapy [1].

For treatment of T2DM GLP1RAs has been developed which improves glucose control with a low risk of causing hypoglycaemia and simultaneously promoting weight loss. GLP1, an incretin hormone, stimulates a decrease in blood glucose levels by insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner while delaying gastric emptying and promoting sufficiency. When the native GLP1 is quickly inactivated by the enzyme Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4), GLP1RAs are slightly modified to resist this inactivation. Although, it should be mentioned that GLP1RAs are classified as short-acting and long-acting GLP1RAs which have distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics based on its molecular size. If we consider from a clinical point of view, the most obvious difference found would be that some GLP1RAs are needed to be injected everyday-like exenatide immediate-release, liraglutide, lixisenatide, whereas others can be injected only once weekly-like dulaglutide, semaglutide, albiglutide etc. From diabetic patient’s perspective, once-weekly administration instead of daily injection provides considerable convenience and better medication adherence [1,2].

Dulaglutide

Dulaglutide is basically a genetically engineered protein. Dulaglutide is one of six marketed GLP1RAs available in the market for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dulaglutide is a human GLP1RA, administered once weekly subcutaneously, which is the peculiarity of Dulaglutide [1]. It consists of GLP1 covalently linked to an Fc fragment of human IgG4 (Figure 1) [3]. It can be administered alone or in combination with other medications for diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It helps in lowering the blood glucose levels by stimulating synthesis and secretion of insulin and inhibiting the secretion of glucagon.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of dulaglutide (Source: Internet)

Structure Dulaglutide molecule contains two identical, disulphide-linked chains, each containing a human GLP1-analog-sequence covalently linked to a modified human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) heavy chain fragment (Fc) by a small peptide-linker (Figure 2) [4].

Figure 2.Schematic representation of dulaglutide (Source: Internet)

This human GLP1-analog-sequence is approximately 90% homologous to native-human-GLP1. The amino acid substitutions in Dulaglutide aims at optimizing clinical value like reduced immunogenicity, protection from dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inactivation and improved solubility of the peptide. The IgG-Fc helps in reducing the rate of clearance and drastically limiting its potential renal excretion by increasing the size of dulaglutide [1,2].

Clinical efficacy

The clinical efficacy of dulaglutide includes its glucose-lowering activity, postprandial glucose plasma concentrations and HbA1c levels combined with the body weight reducing effect, which has been carefully investigated in patients with T2DM previously [1].

Drug formulation and dosing

For commercial use, Dulaglutide has been defined to be 0.75 mg/0.5 mL or 1.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a prefilled automatic injection device. The product doesn't needs reconstitution, in contrast to exenatide extended-release. It can be injected in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen region, once in a week, subcutaneously. The dose can be increased, depending on glycemic control. Although for potentially vulnerable populations, i.e. patients >75yrs, 0.75 mg once-weekly is considered as an initial dose. Also, if any dose is missed, it can be administered within 3 days. Dulaglutide is not recommended in severe renal impairment as there isn’t sufficient data for this group yet [1].

Drug	Dosage	Storage
Dulaglutide	0.75 mg/0.5 mL or 1.5 mg/0.5 mL for subcutaneous injections	Upto 14 days at RT

Side effects and safety

The most common adverse events associated are transient gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and diarrhea, with low inherent risk of hypoglycaemia [1,2,5]. There is no increase in cardiovascular problems or mortality when compared with placebo or other therapies available for diabetes, including glargine insulin, sitagliptin and metformin. However, GLP1RAs should not be recommended for patients with pancreatitis history, as per the post marketing reports [6-8].

Conclusion

Dulaglutide has been approved by the US FDA and the EMA for the management of hyperglycemia in T2DM and 0.75 mg to 1.5 mg once-weekly dose have demonstrated Haemoglobin A1c reduction of ∼0.7%-1.6% as monotherapy and in combination (dual or triple therapy) in controlled clinical trials [9,10]. The glucose-lowering activity with dulaglutide involves both postprandial plasma glucose concentrations, with low hypoglycaemia risk and reductions of fasting. Similar to other GLP1RAs, dulaglutide has shown quite rapid and sustained weight loss of ∼1.5-3 kg, contrasting with a weight increase with other GLP1RAs. In conclusion, dulaglutide is novel option which is effective, easy for use and well tolerated and it should be located alongside other long-acting GLP1RAs within the recommended guidelines [11-14].

References

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