ADA 77th Scientific Sessions Packed with Clinical Trial Results

Researchers and clinicians from all 50 states and 120 countries have convened in San Diego, California, for the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s 77th Scientific Sessions. The meeting is being held June 8-13, 2017.

With the theme of “Experience New Horizons in Diabetes,” the 14,000 attendees will be informed and educated by a robust program in the latest research in diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. More than 3,000 original research presentations will be offered through a wide selection of symposia, oral presentations, general and moderated poster sessions, continuing education courses, product theaters, and presidential addresses.

Anticipated highlights of the meeting include the presentation of results from major clinical trials, including the CANagliflozin cardiovascular Assessment Study (CANVAS), which is the cardiovascular-outcomes trial (CVOT) for the sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin (Invokana/Janssen Pharmaceuticals). CANVAS will be presented along with its sister trial, the CANVAS renal-end-points trial (CANVAS-R). Attendees will be most interested in learning whether this SGLT2 inhibitor will demonstrate a reduction in cardiovascular death in high-risk patients, as empagliflozin (Jardiance/Boehringer Ingelheim/Lilly) did in the landmark (Empagliflozin) Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients (EMPA-REG OUTCOME) in 2015.

Other trials generating buzz at the meeting include Reducing With MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions in Type 1 Diabetes (REMOVAL). This trial, sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and conducted in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands, tested whether 3 years of treatment with metformin combined with titrated insulin therapy to reach the target hemoglobin A1C of 7.0% reduced atherosclerosis in adult patients with type 1 diabetes who are 40 years of age or older and at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Three major trials focusing on prevention will also be presented in a special session. This group of trials examined the effects of early intervention on slowing or preventing the progression to full insulin dependence in patients with type 1 diabetes, and perhaps preventing the development of the disease entirely, as in the Oral Insulin for Prevention of Diabetes in Relatives at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus study.

More clinical trial results will inform attendees on the effects of a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia who are being treated with insulin and are at high risk for cardiovascular events. The results of Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab Versus Placebo on Top of Maximally Tolerated Lipid Lowering Therapy in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia Who Have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes and are Treated With Insulin (ODYSSEY DM—Insulin) will be presented along with a discussion of the ongoing Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab Versus Usual Care on Top of Maximally Tolerated Statin Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Mixed Dyslipidemia (ODYSSEY DM—Dyslipidemia) trial.

Also highlighted will be a session on the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes—Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results (LEADER) trial. This study was conducted on 5 continents: Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Europe and measured the time from randomization to a first event of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, revascularisation, or hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure.

In addition to the many major clinical trial results that will be revealed, attendees will also have opportunity to visit what the ADA calls “the world’s largest exposition of diabetes-related products, service, and technology” in Exhibit Hall with 125 companies showcasing their latest and most innovative resources.

The 77th Scientific Sessions concludes on Tuesday, June 13, with the ADA Presidents Oral Session, a special presentation of the 8 abstracts selected by the 34-member Planning Committee.