Efficacy and Safety of Dulaglutide Versus Insulin Glargine in Chinese T2DM Patients: A Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Trial (AWARD-CHN2)

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate efficacy and safety data of dulaglutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with 1-2 oral antihyperglycemic medications (OAMs). METHODS: This is a subgroup analysis of a phase 3, open-label, randomized, parallel-arm, 52-week study in Chinese patients aged ≥ 18 years with T2DM who had inadequate glycemic control with OAMs (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥ 7.0% and ≤ 11.0%). The primary endpoint was assessment of the noninferiority of dulaglutide 1.5 mg as measured by change in HbA1c, compared with insulin glargine (glargine), using a 0.4% noninferiority margin at week 26. RESULTS: A total of 607 patients from China were randomized 1:1:1 to once-weekly dulaglutide 1.5 or 0.75 mg or once-daily glargine. At week 26, the least squares mean (LSM) change from baseline in HbA1c was greater with dulaglutide 1.5 mg (- 1.67%) and dulaglutide 0.75 mg (- 1.31%) compared with glargine (- 1.11%). The LSM (95% confidence interval) for the difference of dulaglutide 1.5 mg and 0.75 mg vs glargine was - 0.56% (- 0.75 to - 0.37) and - 0.20% (- 0.39 to - 0.01), respectively. Both doses of dulaglutide were noninferior and superior to glargine at 26 weeks and 52 weeks (two-sided P value < 0.05). The mean body weight decreased (P < 0.001) and total hypoglycemia rates were lower (P < 0.05) in the dulaglutide groups compared with the glargine group. Gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) were the most frequently reported AEs in dulaglutide groups. CONCLUSION: Both doses of dulaglutide are efficacious and tolerable in Chinese patients with T2DM who had inadequate glycemic control on OAMs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01648582. FUNDING: Eli Lilly and Company.