Closed-Loop Glucagon Pump for Treatment of Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Post-bariatric Hypoglycemia
• Interventions: Drug: glucagon; Device: Closed loop glucagon pump

• Registration Number: NCT03255629
• Lead Sponsor: Joslin Diabetes Center

Brief Summary

To assess the efficacy of a closed loop glucagon system to prevent and treat hypoglycemia occurring in patients with Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia (PBH) in response to meals and exercise.

Detailed Description

A control system for sensor-guided delivery was previously developed and tested in a Proof-of-Concept (POC) study in a clinical research setting during 9 mixed meal tolerance tests in 8 unique patients with severe hypoglycemia following bariatric surgery. This optimized algorithm will now be implemented to deliver stable glucagon in a closed-loop system.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, masked trial will be conducted to assess the efficacy of the closed loop system to prevent and treat hypoglycemia occurring in patients with PBH in response to meals (part 1). Part 2 will test whether the closed loop system can also prevent and treat hypoglycemia in patients with PBH in response to exercise. A manufacturing program from our collaborating team at Xeris Pharmaceuticals will continue to produce supplies of glucagon for the clinical trial in a current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) facility, with continued shelf-life stability testing.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-08-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-08-16
• Study First Posted: 2017-08-21
• Study Start: 2017-09-19
• Primary Completion: 2018-08-22
• Study Completion: 2018-08-22
• Results First Submitted: 2021-11-09
• Results First Submitted QC: 2022-07-25
• Results First Posted: 2022-07-26
• Status Verified: 2022-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2022-09-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 18

Inclusion Criteria

1. Males or females diagnosed with ongoing post-bariatric hypoglycemia with prior episodes of neuroglycopenia, unresponsive to dietary intervention (low glycemic index, controlled carbohydrate portions) and trial of acarbose therapy at the maximally tolerated dose.
2. Age 18-65 years of age, inclusive, at screening.
3. Willingness to provide informed consent and follow all study procedures, including attending all scheduled visits.

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Exclusion Criteria

1. Documented hypoglycemia occurring in the fasting state (> 12 hours fast);
2. Chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 (including end-stage renal disease);
3. Hepatic disease, including serum alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal; hepatic synthetic insufficiency as defined as serum albumin < 3.0 g/dL; or serum bilirubin > 2.0;
4. Congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA )class II, III or IV;
5. History of myocardial infarction, unstable angina or revascularization within the past 6 months or 2 or more risk factors for coronary artery disease including diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled hyperlipidemia, and active tobacco use;
6. History of cardiac arrhythmia or arrhythmia detected by EKG during the screening visit;
7. History of syncope (unrelated to hypoglycemia) or diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia
8. Concurrent administration of β-blocker therapy;
9. History of a cerebrovascular accident;
10. Seizure disorder (other than with suspect or documented hypoglycemia);
11. Active treatment with any diabetes medications except for acarbose;
12. Active malignancy, except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers;
13. Personal or family history of pheochromocytoma or disorder with increased risk of pheochromocytoma (MEN 2, neurofibromatosis, or Von Hippel-Lindau disease);
14. Known insulinoma or glucagonoma;
15. Major surgical operation within 30 days prior to screening;
16. Hematocrit < 33%;
17. Bleeding disorder, treatment with warfarin, or platelet count <50,000;
18. Blood donation (1 pint of whole blood) within the past 2 months;
19. Active alcohol abuse or substance abuse;
20. Current administration of oral or parenteral corticosteroids;
21. Pregnancy and/ or Lactation: For women of childbearing potential: there is a requirement for a negative urine pregnancy test and for agreement to use contraception during the study and for at least 1 month after participating in the study. Acceptable contraception includes birth control pill / patch / vaginal ring, Depo-Provera, Norplant, an intrauterine device (IUD), the double barrier method (the woman uses a diaphragm and spermicide and the man uses a condom), or abstinence;
22. Use of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening;
23. Current use of anticholinergic medications;
24. Allergy to a component of the study drug.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Study drug (glucagon) first, placebo second	Closed loop glucagon pump	Each subject will have two mixed meal tolerance tests performed. Each will be randomized to receive either glucagon or matched placebo during the first testing session. A participant could receive 2 doses of the study drug or placebo at each study visit. The opposite treatment will be given during the second testing session after a 1-2 week washout period. Both participants and the study team will be blinded to the intervention being used during each session.
Placebo first, study drug (glucagon) second	Closed loop glucagon pump	Each subject will have two mixed meal tolerance tests performed. Each will be randomized to receive either glucagon or matched placebo during the first testing session. A participant could receive 2 doses of the study drug or placebo at each study visit. The opposite treatment will be given during the second testing session after a 1-2 week washout period. Both participants and the study team will be blinded to the intervention being used during each session.
Study drug (glucagon) first, placebo second	glucagon	Each subject will have two mixed meal tolerance tests performed. Each will be randomized to receive either glucagon or matched placebo during the first testing session. A participant could receive 2 doses of the study drug or placebo at each study visit. The opposite treatment will be given during the second testing session after a 1-2 week washout period. Both participants and the study team will be blinded to the intervention being used during each session.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <65 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	A primary endpoint for this study is the prevention of meal provoked hypoglycemia, defined as sensor glucose levels below \<65 mg/dl, comparing study drug to control.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <65 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	A primary endpoint for this study is prevention of meal provoked hypoglycemia, defined as plasma glucose levels below \<65 mg/dl, comparing study drug to control

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Hypoglycemia Rescue Administered	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Protocol-specified rescue delivery of IV glucose was performed if plasma glucose \<55 mg/dL and/or significant neuroglycopenia developed.
Percent Time Plasma Glucose in Range After the Final Dose of Study Drug or Vehicle, Which Was Either 1 or 2 Doses Depending on Patient Response	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Compare outcomes for glucagon versus vehicle infusions for percent time plasma glucose in range (180-65mg/dL) after the final dose, which was either 1 or 2 doses depending on patient response
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <60 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as sensor glucose levels below \<60 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control
Number of Participants With Rebound Hyperglycemia (Defined as Glucose Levels Above 180 mg/dl).	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge will be conducted within two weeks of the first.	Compare outcomes for glucagon versus vehicle infusions for prevention of rebound hyperglycemia (defined as glucose levels above 180 mg/dl).
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <60 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as plasma glucose levels below \<60 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <55 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as sensor glucose levels below \<55 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control
Meal Provoked Nadir Sensor Glucose	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Nadir sensor glucose (mg/dl) during meal testing, comparing vehicle to control
Time to Nadir Plasma Glucose After Mixed Meal (Min)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Time to Alarm During Mixed Meal Testing (Minutes)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Time to alarm represents the time for the first alarm to occur during mixed meal testing. Alarms are triggered by hypoglycemia (sensor glucose \< 65 mg/dL), or by the algorithm predicting that hypoglycemia will occur in less than 30 minutes (taking into account current sensor glucose level (between 65-150 mg/dL) and the rate of change of a rapidly falling sensor glucose level). In the latter case, the alarm is activated even if glucose levels are within the normoglycemic range to allow early detection and response. During both glucagon and vehicle treatment visits, all participants received either 300 μg of glucagon or the equivalent volume of vehicle with the first alarm.
Sensor Glucose at Time of Alarm 1 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	This is the sensor glucose at which time the first alarm occurred during the mixed meal testing. Alarms are triggered by hypoglycemia (sensor glucose \< 65 mg/dL), or by the algorithm predicting that hypoglycemia will occur in less than 30 minutes (taking into account current sensor glucose level (between 65-150 mg/dL) and the rate of change of a rapidly falling sensor glucose level). In the latter case, the alarm is activated even if glucose levels are within the normoglycemic range to allow early detection and response. During both glucagon and vehicle treatment visits, all participants received either 300 μg of glucagon or the equivalent volume of vehicle with the first alarm.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <55 mg/dL	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as plasma glucose levels below \<55 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control
Time to Delivery (Min)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Time to delivery (min) of study drug during mixed meal testing
Pain Score at Time of First Dose Delivery of Study Drug, Versus Pain Score at Time of First Dose Delivery of Placebo (Comparing First Delivery Pain Scores for Visit Where Participant Received Study Drug vs. Visit Where Participant Received Placebo).	The two study visits where participants were administered either study drug or placebo took place over 2 weeks (there was a 1 to 2 week washout period between visits).	Pain score was assessed verbally, 1 is the least pain (none), 10 is the most severe pain. Pain score at the time of the first administration was compared for the visit where the participant received the study drug vs. the visit where the participant received the placebo. A participant could receive 2 doses of the study drug or placebo at each visit. All 12 participants completed both the study drug phase and the placebo phase. The pain scores for the first administration of study drug vs. first administration of placebo for these two visits were compared. Whether the participant was assigned to the study drug glucagon (vs. placebo) at the first or second MMTT was determined by randomization.
Percent Time Sensor Glucose in Range After Drug Delivery After the Final Dose of Study Drug or Vehicle, Which Was Either 1 or 2 Doses Depending on Patient Response	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Compare outcomes for glucagon versus vehicle infusions for percent time sensor glucose in range (180-65mg/dL) after the final dose, which was either 1 or 2 doses depending on patient response
Meal Provoked Nadir Plasma Glucose	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	Nadir plasma glucose (mg/dl) during meal testing, comparing vehicle to control
Time to Nadir Sensor Glucose After Mixed Meal (Min)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Capillary Glucose at Time of Alarm 1 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	This is the capillary glucose at which time the first alarm occurred during the mixed meal testing. Alarms are triggered by hypoglycemia (sensor glucose \< 65 mg/dL), or by the algorithm predicting that hypoglycemia will occur in less than 30 minutes (taking into account current sensor glucose level (between 65-150 mg/dL) and the rate of change of a rapidly falling sensor glucose level). In the latter case, the alarm is activated even if glucose levels are within the normoglycemic range to allow early detection and response. During both glucagon and vehicle treatment visits, all participants received either 300 μg of glucagon or the equivalent volume of vehicle with the first alarm.
Capillary Glucose at Time of Alarm 2 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	This is the capillary glucose at which time the second alarm occurred during the mixed meal testing. Alarms are triggered by hypoglycemia (sensor glucose \< 65 mg/dL), or by the algorithm predicting that hypoglycemia will occur in less than 30 minutes (taking into account current sensor glucose level (between 65-150 mg/dL) and the rate of change of a rapidly falling sensor glucose level). In the latter case, the alarm is activated even if glucose levels are within the normoglycemic range to allow early detection and response. During both glucagon and vehicle treatment visits, all participants received either 300 μg of glucagon or the equivalent volume of vehicle with the first alarm.
Sensor Glucose at Time of Alarm 2 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.	This is the sensor glucose at which time the second alarm occurred during the mixed meal testing. Alarms are triggered by hypoglycemia (sensor glucose \< 65 mg/dL), or by the algorithm predicting that hypoglycemia will occur in less than 30 minutes (taking into account current sensor glucose level (between 65-150 mg/dL) and the rate of change of a rapidly falling sensor glucose level). In the latter case, the alarm is activated even if glucose levels are within the normoglycemic range to allow early detection and response. During both glucagon and vehicle treatment visits, all participants received either 300 μg of glucagon or the equivalent volume of vehicle with the first alarm.
Pain Score at Time of Second Dose Delivery of Study Drug, Versus Pain Score at Time of Second Dose Delivery of Placebo (Comparing Second Delivery Pain Scores for Visit Where Participant Received Study Drug vs. Visit Where Participant Received Placebo).	The two study visits where participants were administered either study drug or placebo took place over 2 weeks (there was a 1 to 2 week washout period between visits).	Pain score was assessed verbally, 1 is the least pain (none), 10 is the most severe pain. Pain score at the time of the second administration was compared for the visit where the participant received the study drug vs. the visit where the participant received the placebo. A participant could receive 2 doses of the study drug or placebo at each visit. All 12 participants completed both the study drug phase and the placebo phase. The pain scores from the second administration of study drug vs. second administration of placebo for these two visits were compared. Whether the participant was assigned to the study drug glucagon (vs. placebo) at the first or second MMTT was determined by randomization.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Joslin Diabetes Center; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States