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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Post-bariatric Hypoglycemia
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: glucagon; Device: Closed loop glucagon pump

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 Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 18
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
      • Joslin Diabetes Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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.

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: PREVENTION
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: CROSSOVER
• Masking: QUADRUPLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
OTHER: Study drug (glucagon) first, placebo second; 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.	Drug: glucagon; novel, stable non-aqueous glucagon formulation provided by Xeris Pharmaceuticals; Device: Closed loop glucagon pump; a novel closed-loop glucagon system (CLG) incorporating a novel, stable non-aqueous glucagon formulation together with an infusion pump system (Omnipod) guided by real-time continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom) that is triggered by a hypoglycemia alert algorithm.
OTHER: Placebo first, study drug (glucagon) second; 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.	Device: Closed loop glucagon pump; a novel closed-loop glucagon system (CLG) incorporating a novel, stable non-aqueous glucagon formulation together with an infusion pump system (Omnipod) guided by real-time continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom) that is triggered by a hypoglycemia alert algorithm.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <65 mg/dL	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.	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <65 mg/dL	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	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <60 mg/dL	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as sensor glucose levels below <60 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Number of Participants With Rebound Hyperglycemia (Defined as Glucose Levels Above 180 mg/dl).	Compare outcomes for glucagon versus vehicle infusions for prevention of 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.
Number of Participants With Hypoglycemia Rescue Administered	Protocol-specified rescue delivery of IV glucose was performed if plasma glucose <55 mg/dL and/or significant neuroglycopenia developed.	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <60 mg/dL	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as plasma glucose levels below <60 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Plasma Glucose <55 mg/dL	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as plasma glucose levels below <55 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Number of Participants With Meal-provoked Hypoglycemia, Defined as Sensor Glucose <55 mg/dL	Prevention of meal / provoked hypoglycemia, defined as sensor glucose levels below <55 mg/dl, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
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	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	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
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	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	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Meal Provoked Nadir Plasma Glucose	Nadir plasma glucose (mg/dl) during meal testing, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Meal Provoked Nadir Sensor Glucose	Nadir sensor glucose (mg/dl) during meal testing, comparing vehicle to control	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
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 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.
Time to Alarm During Mixed Meal Testing (Minutes)	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.	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)	Time to delivery (min) of study drug during mixed meal testing	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Sensor Glucose at Time of Alarm 1 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	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.	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)	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.	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
Sensor Glucose at Time of Alarm 2 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	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.	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 2 During Mixed Meal Testing (mg/dL)	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.	Measured following 2 challenges: 1 with glucagon and 1 with vehicle. The second challenge was conducted within two weeks of the first.
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).	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.	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 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).	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.	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).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Joslin Diabetes Center
• Collaborators: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institutes of Health (NIH); Harvard University; Xeris Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Mulla CM, Zavitsanou S, Laguna Sanz AJ, Pober D, Richardson L, Walcott P, Arora I, Newswanger B, Cummins MJ, Prestrelski SJ, Doyle FJ, Dassau E, Patti ME. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Trial of a Closed-Loop Glucagon System for Postbariatric Hypoglycemia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Apr 1;105(4):e1260-71. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz197.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): September 19, 2017
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): August 22, 2018
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): August 22, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 16, 2017
• First Posted (ACTUAL): August 21, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): September 6, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 7, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Hypoglycemia; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Gastrointestinal Agents; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Incretins; Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2016-27; 1R44DK107114 (NIH)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes