Assessment of a New Insulin Preparation for Implanted Pumps Used in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Implanted insulin pumps using the peritoneal route provide long-term improvement of glucose control compared with subcutaneous insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. The stability of insulin preparation is critical for a safe use in implanted pumps. Insuman implantable (R) (400 IU/mL) (Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany), a recombinant human insulin, has been developed as a replacement for Insuplant (R) (Aventis Pharma, Frankfurt am Main, Germany), a semisynthetic insulin, the only one used so far. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the noninferiority of Insuman versus Insuplant, in terms of safety and effectiveness when used in implanted pumps. Subjects and Methods: The patients enrolled, currently treated for T1D by the Medtronic MiniMed (North-ridge, CA) implantable pump model 2007 with Insuplant, were randomized into two study arms and received either Insuman or Insuplant for four pump refill cycles. Each pump refill cycle was 40 +/- 5 days. The co-primary end points included glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change from baseline and pump infusion accuracy. Results: In total, 169 patients were randomized. Noninferiority of Insuman versus Insuplant was demonstrated both for the HbA1c change from baseline (as a percentage) with intergroup difference of 95% confidence interval (-0.36; +0.11) and for the infusion accuracy assessed by the measured percentage of error at pump refill, as shown by intergroup difference of 95% confidence interval (-5.81; -0.50), in per-protocol populations, although the insulin daily dose was similar. Severe hypoglycemia occurred at least once in 12 versus 11 patients, respectively, and metabolic or technical adverse events were comparable. Conclusions: Findings suggest that Insuman can safely and effectively replace Insuplant in implanted pumps.