This study will examine the effects of Tirzepatide (TZP), a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) - gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) co-agonist, on metabolism in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Research participants with T1D will undergo measures of insulin sensitivity, and hormone levels post-meal, post-hypoglycemia and during the overnight period. These measures will be performed prior to, and after 6 weeks of treatment with TZP or placebo.
TIRTLE2 is a phase 2 double-blinded placebo-controlled mechanistic clinical trial that extends upon the findings of TIRTLE1, a phase 2 double-blinded placebo-controlled trial (TZP 5.0mg vs placebo over 12 weeks) in T1D (trial registration: ACTRN12624000111572). TIRTLE2 is a designed to determine whether TZP can 1) improve whole body insulin sensitivity, 2) reduce prandial glucagon secretion, 3) impacts lipolysis and growth hormone secretion overnight, and 4) determine if TZP can maintain the glucagon response to hypoglycemia. The acute effects of TZP on metabolism will be assessed after 6 weeks, to limit the degree of weight loss (indicating a role for TZP on improving metabolic physiology in T1D, beyond weight management in T1D). To address these research aims, a single comprehensive clinical trial will be performed in 44 participants with T1D, who will receive a weekly injection of TZP 2.5mg or placebo for 6 weeks. A short treatment duration was chosen to assess if TZP offers T1D-specific benefits prior to significant weight loss. TIRTLE2 will employ the 'gold standard' hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic and hypoglycemic clamps, in conjunction with complementary analyses of the effects of TZP on metabolism across multiple physiological states. This mechanistic study will define mechanisms by which GLP1-GIP co-agonism may uniquely provide clinical benefits in T1D during the fasting and fed states, and during hypoglycemia.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
44
Tirzepatide 2.5 mg/0.5 mL solution for injection vial or pre-filled pen. Each vial/ pre-filled pen contains tirzepatide 2.5 mg in 0.5 mL solution (2.5mg in 0.6mL if Kwikpen) Tirzepatide will be administered by drawing up into a syringe, then administering by subcutaneous injection weekly by study nurses.
Placebo will be given as 0.5mL normal saline (if comparator against vial or pre-filled pen), or 0.6mL (if comparator against Mounjaro Kwikpen), drawn up into a syringe and administered by subcutaneous injection weekly by study nurses.
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Whole-body insulin sensitivity
Change in insulin sensitivity from baseline, assessed using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (60 mU/m2/min)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Prandial glucagon secretion
Change from baseline glucagon area under the curve (AUC) during mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Glucagon response to hypoglycemia
Change from baseline glucagon AUC after glucose nadir as measured during the hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time level 2 hypoglycemia
Change from baseline % time level 2 hypoglycemia (defined by glucose \< 54 mg/dL \[\<3.0 mmol/L\]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time level 1 hypoglycemia
Change from baseline % time level 1 hypoglycemia (defined by glucose \< 70 mg/dL \[3.9 mmol/L\] and ≥ 54 mg/dL \[3.0 mmol/L\]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
Resting energy expenditure (REE)
Change from baseline REE as measured by indirect calorimetry
Time frame: 6 weeks
Overnight growth hormone curve
Change from baseline growth hormone area under the curve (AUC) as measured overnight blood samples
Time frame: 6 weeks
Overnight free-fatty acids (FFA) curve
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Change from baseline FFA under the curve (AUC) as measured overnight blood samples
Time frame: 6 weeks
Total daily insulin dose
Change from baseline total daily insulin dose as measured by pump record
Time frame: 6 weeks
Total daily basal insulin dose
Change from baseline total daily basal insulin dose as measured by pump record
Time frame: 6 weeks
Total daily bolus insulin dose
Change from baseline total daily bolus insulin dose as measured by pump record
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time in Range (TIR)
Change from baseline %TIR (defined by % readings between 70mg/dL - 180 mg/dL \[3.9 - 10.0 mmol/L\]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time Below Range (TBR)
Change from baseline %TBR (defined by % readings below 70mg/dL \[3.9mmol/L\]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time level 1 hyperglycemia
Change from baseline % time level 1 hyperglycemia (defined by glucose \> 180 mg/dL \[10 mmol/L\] and glucose ≤ 250 mg/dL \[13.9 mmol/L\]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
% Time level 2 hyperglycemia
Change from baseline % time level 1 hyperglycemia (defined by glucose \> 250 mg/dL \[13.9 mmol/L\])) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
Glycemic variability
Change from glycemic variability as measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Time frame: 6 weeks
Gastric emptying
Change from baseline gastric emptying during the mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) assessed using radiolabelled isotope and breath sampling
Time frame: 6 weeks