Comparative Effectiveness of Two Initial Combination Therapies in Patients With Recent Onset Diabetes

March 9, 2026 updated by: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Initial Combination Therapies in Patients With New Onset Diabetes

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, durability, and mechanism of HbA1c reduction produced by the combination of pioglitazone plus tirzepatide compared to metformin plus sitagliptin in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized open label controlled 2 arm study (with one of the arms containing 3 sub-groups) which aims to examine the effectiveness and long term effects on HbA1c reduction produced by the combination of pioglitazone plus tirzepatide versus metformin plus sitagliptin in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

A subgroup of patients from group 1 will be invited to participate in a sub-study which lasts for 6 months and aims at exploring the metabolic/molecular mechanisms responsible for the study results. The selection of subjects to each subgroup will be done randomly and the end of sub-study, subjects will continue therapy and follow-up from month 6 on in the main study.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
256

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78207
        • Recruiting
        • University Health System Texas Diabetic Institute
        • Contact:
      • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229
        • Recruiting
        • UT Health Science Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
  2. Males and females; Age 18-75 years
  3. Recently (within 5 years) diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients
  4. Drug naïve or receiving metformin monotherapy
  5. HbA1c >6.5% (no limit on upper HbA1c value);
  6. Willingness to adhere to the investigational product regimen
  7. Good general health
  8. Stable body weight over the preceding 3 months
  9. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. positive anti-GAD (antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase)
  2. pregnancy or plan of becoming pregnant
  3. evidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy,
  4. plasma creatinine >1.4 females or >1.5 males;
  5. presence of congestive heart failure (CHF);
  6. history of cancer (<5 years);
  7. prior history of pancreatitis,
  8. bladder cancer or family history of thyroid tumors;
  9. presence of hematuria in the urine analysis.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Group IC
Tirzepatide starting at 2.5mg weekly titrated to 15mg weekly (2.5 month 1, 5mg month 2, 10mg month 3 and 15mg at month 4) with Pioglitazone beginning at 15mg daily and ending at 45mg daily (15mg month 1, 30mg month 2 and 45mg at month 3 onwards).
Drug: Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide:Participants will be initiated on 2.5mg weekly and increase their dose to 5mg at week 4, 10mg at week 8 and 15mg at week 12 as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Mounjaro
Drug: Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone: Participants will begin therapy at 15mg daily for the first 4 weeks then increase dose to 30mg at week 4 and to 45 mg at week 8, as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Actos
Active Comparator: Group II
Metformin starting at 1000mg XR daily and Sitagliptin 100mg daily at week 4, Metformin will be increased to 200mg.
Drug: Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin: will be administered as a 100mg dose once daily.
Other Names:
  • Januvia
Drug: Metformin HCI XR
Metformin will be administered at a dose of 1000mg for the first 4 weeks and then the dose increased to 2000mg.
Other Names:
  • Extended Release Metformin
Active Comparator: Group IA
Tirzepatide will be started at 2.5mg and increased to 15mg by month 4. At month 6, Pioglitazone will be added to the Tirzepatide, 15 mg daily.
Drug: Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide:Participants will be initiated on 2.5mg weekly and increase their dose to 5mg at week 4, 10mg at week 8 and 15mg at week 12 as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Mounjaro
Drug: Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone: Participants will begin therapy at 15mg daily for the first 4 weeks then increase dose to 30mg at week 4 and to 45 mg at week 8, as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Actos
Active Comparator: Group 1B
Pioglitazone will be started at 15mg and increased to 45 mg by month 3. At month 6, tirzepatide 2.5mg will be started and increased weekly as tolerated.
Drug: Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide:Participants will be initiated on 2.5mg weekly and increase their dose to 5mg at week 4, 10mg at week 8 and 15mg at week 12 as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Mounjaro
Drug: Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone: Participants will begin therapy at 15mg daily for the first 4 weeks then increase dose to 30mg at week 4 and to 45 mg at week 8, as tolerated.
Other Names:
  • Actos

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
number of subjects achieving HbA1c <6.5% at 6 months (Efficacy)
Time Frame: 6 months
Therapy failure will be determined as HbA1c >6.5% in two consecutive HbA1c measurements 3 months apart. Time to cumulative incidence of therapy failure curves will be created in subjects receiving pioglitazone/tirzepatide versus subjects receiving metformin/sitagliptin
6 months
Number of subjects failing to achieving HbA1c <6.5% Long-term
Time Frame: month 60
The failure to achieving HbA1c <6.5% (Durability) at the end of study in subjects receiving pioglitazone/tirzepatide (Group I) versus metformin/sitagliptin (Group II) in two consecutive HbA1c measurements 3 months apart.
month 60

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in insulin sensitivity
Time Frame: from baseline to end of study (60 months)
Matsuda Index of insulin sensitivity or total glucose disposal measured with the clamp.These are the gold standard methods for quantification insulin sensitivity with the OGTT or a euglycemic clamp
from baseline to end of study (60 months)
Change in Beta Cell Function
Time Frame: Baseline to end of study (60 months)
A calculated value using plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations during the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) test.
Baseline to end of study (60 months)
Change in body weight
Time Frame: Baseline to end of study (60 months)
Change from study beginning to end, measured in kilograms (kg)
Baseline to end of study (60 months)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Muhammad Abdul-Ghani, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 7, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 30, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 30, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 30, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 30, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 7, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 9, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00000139
  • R01DK097554 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified data will be shared with other researchers at study completion when all data are analyzed and as summary results in ClinicalTrials.gov.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

At study completion at the time of publication.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

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