Steven E. Kahn, MB, ChB
Results from the Adult Medication Study of the Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) clinical trial will be presented at 12:00 p.m. Sunday in S-157 (South, Upper Mezzanine Level). In the study, adults with impaired glucose tolerance or recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes who were not receiving any medications were randomized to one of four intervention groups to determine whether it’s possible to slow the loss of islet beta cell function.
ADAMeetingNews.org asked RISE Consortium co-principal investigator Steven E. Kahn, MB, ChB, to discuss the background, objective, and significance of the study. Dr. Kahn is the Leonard L. Wright & Marjorie C. Wright Term Chair of Medicine and Professor of Medicine and Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition at the University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System.
Study Background
Dr. Kahn: Approaches to prevent the development of diabetes and the progression of diabetes have focused on trying to improve islet beta cell health and, thus, its function. In the RISE Adult Medication Study, we asked whether it’s possible to slow or even prevent the progressive loss of beta cell function that characterizes the increase in glucose in individuals with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes.
Objective/Methods
Dr. Kahn: This was a randomized study examining the effects of three interventions, each provided for a total of 12 months, versus placebo. The three interventions were metformin alone for 12 months, liraglutide plus metformin for 12 months, or basal insulin glargine for three months followed by metformin for nine months. Uniquely, we have done sophisticated assessment of beta cell function and insulin sensitivity at baseline, at 12 months (end of the active intervention period), and at 15 months (three months after withdrawal of the intervention).
Significance
Dr. Kahn: The findings we will present will highlight similarities and differences in the responses to the interventions in adults. In addition, we will compare the findings in adults with metformin alone for 12 months and basal insulin glargine for three months followed by metformin for nine months to those in youth. The data in youth were presented at ADA last year. The findings from this comparison will have important implications for our understanding of approaches to prevent type 2 diabetes in youth and adults. We are going to be performing a large number of additional biochemical analyses and writing a number of manuscripts that we believe will provide important new information on paths forward for future research.
