Teneligliptin lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes without prolonging QT/QTc interval: JAPI

India: A novel drug, teneligliptin helps achieve targeted glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without prolonging the QT/QTc interval, reported an article published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India.

Globally, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate. A diverse range of pharmacological agents (consisting of at least 12 drug classes) are available for the treatment of T2DM. The use of Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors has been markedly increased in patients with T2DM in clinical practice due to its low risk of hypoglycemia and weight neutrality. Currently, Teneligliptin (DPP-4 inhibitors) is prescribed as a second or third add-on to the standard treatment with other classes of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) to achieve targeted glycemic control in T2DM.

From the results of various clinical trials, it has been observed that along with effective glycemic control, teneligliptin, as monotherapy or add-on therapy, was generally well tolerated in patients with T2DM. As diabetic patients are more prone to develop cardiovascular diseases, cardiac safety of antidiabetic drugs must be ensured and demonstrated. There is less published data available regarding the safety of teneligliptin, concerning QTc prolongation at therapeutic doses, in patients with type 2 DM.

Deepak Bhosle, MGM Medical College, Maharashtra, and his research team conducted the present study to assess teneligliptin in terms of efficacy and safety with respect to QT/QTc prolongation in patients with T2DM.

Researchers enrolled 160 patients with type 2 DM for an open-label, interventional, single-arm, 12 weeks study at MGM Medical College, Aurangabad. Patients were given Teneligliptin 20 mg once a day as an add-on to the ongoing standard treatment with other classes of OHAs. Changes in glycemia parameters like FBS, PPBS, HbA1C, and body weight were assessed and twelve lead ECGs were recorded with safety assessment at baseline and follow-up visits. The QTc was calculated by using Bazett's formula (QTc=QT/√RR).

Key findings of the study,

• A significant reduction was observed in the glycemic parameters like FBS, PPBS, and HbA1C.

• There was no significant change in the QT interval and QTc interval. 

The authors concluded that teneligliptin 20 mg once a day as an add-on to the standard treatment with other OHAs was well tolerated and did not prolong QT/QTc interval.  A significant reduction in FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c was observed over 12 weeks and body weight was also reduced but not significantly.

Reference:

Bhosle D, Chandekar B, Alimuddin S. Evaluation of Teneligliptin a DPP4 Inhibitor in Terms of Efficacy and Safety with Respect to QT/QTc Prolongation in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). J Assoc Physicians India. 2022 May;70(5):11-12. PMID: 35598125.