Low-dose Dasiglucagon for Prevention of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in People With Type 1 Diabetes

Near-normalization of blood glucose levels through intensive insulin therapy has shown to reduce the risk of diabetes late complications, but the approach is associated with two major side effects: hypoglycemia and weight gain. Although management of hypoglycemia through oral carbohydrate consumption is generally effective, the approach can lead to excessive carbohydrate intake and cause rebound hyperglycemia. It has previously been demonstrated that subcutaneous (s.c.) low-dose glucagon can be utilized to effectively treat mild hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes. However, the instability in aqueous solution of currently available glucagon and the need for reconstitution with sterile water immediately prior to administration has limited its clinical role outside emergency settings. Due to the stability and ready-to-use formulation, dasiglucagon does not hold the limitations known for the currently available glucagon preparations.

The aim of this randomized, partially single-blinded, three-arm cross-over study is to compare the efficacy of low-dose dasiglucagon (80 and 120 μg) to oral carbohydrate (15 g) consumption for prevention of s.c. insulin-induced hypoglycemia in CSII- and MDI-treated people with type 1 diabetes. On each study visit (separated by ≥ 3 days), an initial insulin bolus will be administered (at t = 0) aiming for a plasma glucose (PG) level of 3.0 mmol/l. When reaching 4.5 mmol/l, the intervention (s.c. dasiglucagon or oral carbohydrates) will be administered (t-intervention = 0), whereafter PG will me monitored for an additional 180 min.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-64 years
• Duration of T1D ≥ 3 years
• Use of CSII or MDI therapy for ≥ 6 months
• Current use of Novorapid (change from another fast-acting insulin to Novorapid prior to study initiation is allowed)
• HbA1c ≤ 8.0%
• Regular use of carbohydrate counting in the judgement of the investigator

Exclusion criteria

• Use of anti-diabetic medicine (other than insulin), corticosteroids or other drugs affecting glucose metabolism during the study period or within 30 days prior to study start
• History of allergy or intolerance to glucagon or glucagon-like products
• Patients with pheochromocytoma
• Clinically significant ECG abnormalities
• Females who are pregnant, breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant or are not using adequate contraceptive methods (sterilization, intrauterine device, contraceptive pill, patch or injection)
• Inability to understand the individual information and to give informed consent
• Current participation in another clinical trial that, in the judgment of the principle investigator, will compromise the results of the study or the safety of the subject
• Other concomitant medical or psychological condition that, according to the investigator's assessment, makes the individual unsuitable for study participation