Understanding inhaled Technosphere Insulin: Results of an early randomized trial in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Technosphere Insulin (TI) is an inhaled insulin. Studies comparing TI with short-acting insulin analogues provide important insights on efficacy, dosing, and time course of action.

Planned enrollment of 230 subjects was limited to 138 due to premature study discontinuation. The primary efficacy endpoint was a noninferiority of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 0.4% for TI compared with insulin lispro (LIS) in a 16-week phase 3 randomized clinical trial in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

HbA1c values were similar in the TI and LIS groups at the beginning of the trial (7.8% and 7.6%, respectively) and at trial endpoint (7.7% and 7.6%, respectively). Least squares mean changes from baseline were similar between study groups. Glucose values after a standard meal were significantly lower with TI in the first 90 minutes post meal compared with LIS. Mild or moderate hypoglycemia event rates were also significantly lower with TI compared with LIS (5.97 vs 8.01, respectively; P = .0269). Cough was the most commonly reported adverse event with TI. Pulmonary function as measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second was not different between groups at baseline, 16 weeks, or 4 weeks off study drug.

HbA1c was unchanged and overall glucose control was comparable between groups. Treatment with TI resulted in improved post-meal glucose and a lower risk of hypoglycemia compared with LIS.