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Verapamil and beta cell function in adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

Citation
Ovalle, F., et al. “Verapamil And Beta Cell Function In Adults With Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes.”. Nature Medicine, pp. 1108-1112.
Center University of Alabama at Birmingham
Featured
Author Fernando Ovalle, Tiffany Grimes, Guanlan Xu, Anish Patel, Truman B Grayson, Lance A Thielen, Peng Li, Anath Shalev
Abstract

Pancreatic beta cell loss is a key factor in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but therapies to halt this process are lacking. We previously reported that the approved antihypertensive calcium-channel blocker verapamil, by decreasing the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein, promotes the survival of insulin-producing beta cells and reverses diabetes in mouse models. To translate these findings into humans, we conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial ( NCT02372253 ) to assess the efficacy and safety of oral verapamil added for 12 months to a standard insulin regimen in adult subjects with recent-onset T1D. Verapamil treatment, compared with placebo was well tolerated and associated with an improved mixed-meal-stimulated C-peptide area under the curve, a measure of endogenous beta cell function, at 3 and 12 months (prespecified primary endpoint), as well as with a lower increase in insulin requirements, fewer hypoglycemic events and on-target glycemic control (secondary endpoints). Thus, addition of once-daily oral verapamil may be a safe and effective novel approach to promote endogenous beta cell function and reduce insulin requirements and hypoglycemic episodes in adult individuals with recent-onset T1D.

Year of Publication
2018
Journal
Nature medicine
Volume
24
Issue
8
Number of Pages
1108-1112
Date Published
12/2018
ISSN Number
1546-170X
DOI
10.1038/s41591-018-0089-4
Alternate Journal
Nat. Med.
PMID
29988125
PMCID
PMC6092963
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