Endocrine Month in Review: November 2022

The last weekend of each month, our editorial team compiles a list of our most popular endocrinology content from the past month for a month in review recap. The November 2022 endocrinology month in review features coverage of the FDA’s approval of teplizumab, new data related to use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, and a trio of stories on topics pertaining to diabetes technology.

Teplizumab: A New Age in Type 1 Diabetes

The month of November played host to what some suggest is the greatest advance in diabetes management since the discovery of insulin more than 100 years ago. More than 3 years had elapse since the release of phase 2 data detailing the effects of teplizumab, that included the receipt of a Complete Response Letter and being the subject of an FDA Advisory Committee meeting, but on November 17, 2022 the community witnessed the approval of the first agent indicated to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in pediatric and adult patients. As part of the month in review, we are highlighting our the HCPLive Network’s coverage of the approval announcements from the US FDA and Provention Bio, as well as a special edition episode of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives that provides in-depth insights into what the approval means for the community and the next steps for education and rollout of the agent.

Teplizumab Receives FDA Approval for Delaying Type 1 Diabetes

On November 17, the US FDA announced the approval of teplizumab (Tzield), which is administered through IV infusion once daily for 14 consecutive days, for delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients 8 years and older who currently have stage 2 type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Dialogue: What Teplizumab Means for Type 1 Diabetes

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, break down what the approval of teplizumab means for type 1 diabetes. During the episode, hosts take a deep dive into type 1 diabetes staging and hypothesize around the role of CDCES in educating primary care and other specialties to optimize the potential of teplizumab.

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News & Updates in Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Recently, not a week goes by without clinically impactful data related to GLP-1 receptor agonists being published. The month of November saw a slew of new studies and information surrounding agents within the class in scientific journals and meetings, such as Obesity Week and the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) annual meeting. For the November month in review, we’re highlighting our coverage of the STEP TEENS trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and a special edition episode of Diabetes Dialogue featuring Lydia Alexander,president-elect of the OMA, discussing the latest updates in obesity management.

STEP TEENS: Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) Weight Loss Benefits Translate to Adolescent Populations

Data from the STEP TEENS trial, which assessed the benefits of semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) in individuals aged 12-18 years with overweight or obesity, indicates use of the GLP-1 receptor agonist was associated with a mean reduction in body weight of 16% during the 68-week trial.

Diabetes Dialogue: Obesity Updates, with Lydia Alexander, MD

In this episode, Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, are joined by Lydia Alexander, MD, president-elect of the Obesity Medicine Association, to discuss the updates in the landscape of obesity management as well as a deep dive into the recent American Gastroenterological Association guidelines for pharmacological management and the OMA's annual meeting.

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News & Updates in Diabetes Technology

The highlights from our editorial coverage related to diabetes technologies for the month of November include a trio of stories that could be described as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The Good: A new study assessing ease of use of the newest generation of the Dexcom CGM system in older people with type 2 diabetes suggests setup of the Dexcom G7 CGM required half as many steps to set up and deploy as the G6 system. The Bad: On November 17, the US FDA issued a Class I Recall, the most serious type of recall, for Insulet Omnipod DASH Insulin Management System PDMs over issues with device batteries, including instances that led to fires. The Ugly: A new study from Johns Hopkins draws attention to racial disparities in prescription and frequency of patient-provider discussions surrounding CGM and insulin pumps, an unfortunate reality that plagues optimal uptake of these devices.

Study Finds Dexcom G7 Setup is Easier, Requires Fewer Tasks for Older Adults than Previous Generations

A formal task analysis conducted in older adults with type 2 diabetes provides insight into the ease of use and task burden associated with uptake of the Dexcom G7 CGM system, with results indicating use of the system required fewer than half as many steps to initiate as previous generations of the CGM system.

FDA Issues Recall for Insulet Devices for Battery, Overheating Issues that Could Cause Fire

Announced on November 17, the US FDA Class I recall for the Insulet Omnipod DASH Insulin Management System Personal Diabetes Manager comes after the company had received more than 450 complaints related to battery swelling, fluid leakage from battery, and extreme overheating, including 3 instances that included fires.

Black Patients Less Likely to be Prescribed, Have Discussions around CGMs, Insulin Pumps

A Johns Hopkins-led analysis provides a snapshot of trends in racial disparities seen in regard to both uptake and engagement in discussions with providers around continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps among adults with type 1 diabetes.