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Type 2 Diabetes MellitusPhase 4NCT02964585

Role of Canagliflozin on CD34+ Cells in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

A Phase 4 study testing Canagliflozin in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, run by George Washington University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The investigators hypothesize that Cana may be able to improve number and function of CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells. The investigators also propose that this expected cardiovascular benefit is independent of HbA1C reduction. Subjects will begin taking 100 mg of Cana or placebo after initial 4 weeks. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 30 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
What is being tested?
Canagliflozin
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
34 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Nov 2016to Sep 2020
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 30 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 30-70 years
  • Currently treated with any combination of the following anti-diabetic therapies: metformin (1-2 grams), insulin, GLP-1 agonists, a DPP-IV inhibitor, or sulfonylureas
  • Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) between 7.0% and 10.0%
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 39.9 kg/m^2 (both inclusive)

Who cannot join

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • History of hyperosmolar nonketotic coma
  • History of diabetic ketoacidosis in the last 3 months
  • Abnormal CBC that is judged by physician to be unsafe to enroll or low hematocrit (<28 UNITS).
  • History of pancreatitis
  • History of diabetic ketoacidosis in the last 3 months
Show all 37Show fewer
  • History of cancer (except basal cell carcinoma and cancer that is cured or not active or being treated in the past 5 years)
  • Heart attack or stroke within 6 months of screening
  • Clinically significant coronary and/or peripheral vascular disease that would be unsafe to enroll in the study.
  • Statin use started or dose change in the last 3 months
  • CKD Stages 3,4 and 5
  • Use of oral or injectable anti-diabetic medication other than any combination of the following anti-diabetic therapies: metformin (1-2 grams), insulin, GLP-1 agonists, a DPP-IV inhibitor, or sulfonylureas currently, or in the past 1 month.
  • Use of consistent long-term steroid medication (oral, inhaled, injected) within the last 3 months
  • Uncontrolled inflammatory disease, or current chronic use of anti-inflammatory drugs within the last 3 months. This will be judged on a case by case basis by the PI
  • Implanted devices (e.g., pacemakers) that may interact with Body Composition scale
  • Untreated Systolic Blood Pressure > 150 mmHg and diastolic Blood Pressure > 90 mmHg
  • Active wounds or recent surgery within 3 months
  • Untreated hyper/hypothyroidism
  • Physical and Laboratory Test Findings:
  • Pre-existing liver disease and/or ALT and AST >2.5X's UNL
  • Serum creatinine levels ≥2.0
  • Estimated CrCl < 60 mL/min (measured by eGFR value)
  • Triglycerides >450 mg/dL
  • Allergies and Adverse Drug Reactions:
  • Subjects with a history of any serious hypersensitivity reaction to Cana or another SGLT2 inhibitor.
  • Sex and Reproductive Status:
  • Women in reproductive age group will be included in the study but encouraged to use contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy within 16 weeks of study duration.
  • Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding will be excluded.
  • Other Exclusion Criteria:
  • Prisoners or subjects who are involuntarily incarcerated.
  • Subjects who are compulsorily detained for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g., infectious disease) illness.
  • Patients who are active smokers
  • Patients who are pregnant
  • Nursing women
  • Post-menopausal women who are on estrogen hormone replacement therapy will be excluded.
  • Patients on low dose oral contraceptives will be allowed to participate as these formulations contain very low amounts of estrogens.
  • Eligibility criteria for this study have been carefully considered to ensure the safety of the study subjects and to ensure that the results of the study can be used. It is imperative that subjects fully meet all eligibility criteria.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20037

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Role of Canagliflozin on Gene Expression and Function of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Renal Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

The investigators hypothesize that Cana may be able to improve number and function of CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells. The investigators also propose that this expected cardiovascular benefit is independent of HbA1C reduction.

Subjects will begin taking 100 mg of Cana or placebo after initial 4 weeks. Subjects will be withdrawn from the study if the medication or placebo is not tolerated.

Read the detailed description

Diabetes affects more than 11% of adults in the United States and this is projected to nearly double by 2025. Both diabetes and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, endothelial cell inflammation, cardiovascular pro-thrombotic states and are the most common causes of kidney disease. Use of a sodium-glucose linked transporter (SGLT-2) inhibitor has shown promise in improving glycemic control, weight reduction, hypertension and even changes in circulating Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and nitric oxide (NO). However, whether these group of drugs have any effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk modification or on endothelium or endothelial progenitor cells as a surrogate of cardiovascular and renal risk outcome measure, is unclear.

The investigators have previously shown that CD34+ cells, derived from peripheral blood can act as a cellular biomarker that is more reliable than serum based markers for CVD risk estimation. Serum based inflammatory markers are not useful until the endothelium is already damaged and inflamed. Such serum based biomarkers takes several months to change and gives no preventive and predictable information as to whether a particular medication may affect future endothelium. This is why the study of endothelium progenitors is crucial. In the investigators' previous study of a prediabetes population with an aerobic exercise intervention, the investigators have demonstrated that CD34+ cells are responsive to a change in therapy or intervention within 2-4 weeks and can be used as a reliable non serum based cellular bio-marker. CD34+ cells or endothelial progenitor cells have been used clinically to improve collateral circulation and have been extensively studied as a robust cardiovascular biomarker. Therefore studying CD34+ cells in patients, with or without Canagliflozin (Cana) can give vital information about the medication and its effect on endothelium. This is particularly important as another SGLT2 inhibitor Empagliflozin has shown unparalleled positive cardiovascular effects with an oral hypoglycemic agent. Of course, the question arises whether this clinical trial effect is secondary to glucose effect or direct effect of SGLT2 inhibitor on endothelium.

Multiple glucose transporters have been identified in human cells these include GLUTs, SGLTs and even taste receptors (such as TLR2 and TLR3). The investigators know SGLT transporters are present in tubular cells and clearly blocking of SGLT2 in these cells is beneficial. Information on glucose transporter in stem or progenitor cells is almost nil. In our lab the investigators have shown presence of GLUT1, SGLTs and TLR3 on CD34+ cells. The investigators have also demonstrated that hyperglycemia is toxic to CD34+ cells, more than CD31+ positive mature endothelial cells. The investigators hypothesize that blocking SGLT2 in CD34+ cells will be beneficial rather than detrimental. As far as glucose uptake in CD34+ cells are concerned other glucose transporters should be sufficient, in fact lesser amount of glucose entry in a hyperglycemic milieu (type 2 DM patients) may be less pro-inflammatory and less pro-apoptotic.

Our preliminary data indicates that mRNA gene expression of both SGLT1 and SGLT2 are noted on human CD34+ cells however only SGLT2 mRNA gene expression is up-regulated several fold in human CD34+ cells in presence of hyperglycemia (20mM glucose). However non primary commercially obtained human endothelium (HUVEC) do not show similar results. An explanation could be SGLT2 expression decreases as the cell transitions from progenitor to mature endothelium. From these results the investigators believe SGLT2 inhibitor will be effective on progenitors and not mature endothelium. The investigators therefore hypothesize that CD34+ cells will be an ideal biomarker to study the effect of the drug. It is possible that Cana, by blocking SGLT2 receptors, may influence other CD34+ cell surface receptors including other glucose transporters and influence its function (most importantly migration). If a particular medication positively influences stem/progenitor cell migration then that medication can positively influence endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications from diabetes. The investigators are particularly interested to note effect of Canagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor on other glucose transporters such as GLUT 1 and 4 while looking at SGLT 1 and 2 on CD34+ cells. It will be helpful to discern these effects particularly when choice of oral diabetic medication in a type 2 diabetes population is practically limited to metformin, DPP4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors. The investigators plan to investigate the effect of Cana on CD34+ cells, in a placebo matched study. The investigators plan to recruit subjects with type 2 diabetes with the following characteristics: 1) overweight, mild and moderately obese (BMI=25.0-39.9); 2) individuals with early type 2 diabetes (≤15 years) with inadequate control, HbA1C= 7.0 to 10.0%, on Metformin (1-2 grams/day) 3) with no history or presence of macrovascular complication and CKD no higher than stage 2. The subjects will be on Metformin as per ADA, Metformin is the 1st line of care along with life-style modification. While Metformin on its own may affect inflammatory biomarkers, the effect is minimal at best, particularly in presence of CKD and endothelial dysfunction. Also both placebo and the cana group will be on Metformin.

The investigators will recruit a total of 40 patients (20 individuals/per group) with approximately a 20% drop out rate over two years and the investigators hope to retain 32 individuals (16/group). Individuals in each group will be matched by sex, age, and race. Participants will be assessed at baseline (week 0), and at 2 and 4 months of drug intake.

Being tested
Canagliflozin, Placebo
Keywords
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Endothelial Cells, Cellular Biomarker, Endothelial Dysfunction, CD34+, Impaired renal function
Medical subject headings
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Renal Insufficiency

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • CanagliflozinDrug

    Also called INVOKANA

    100 mg

  • PlaceboDrug

    1 tablet daily for 16 weeks

Study groups in NCT02964585
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active ArmActive comparator100 mg of Canagliflozin for 16 weeks
Receives: Drug: Canagliflozin
Placebo ArmPlacebo comparatorPlacebo for 16 weeks
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Gene Expression and Function Change of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Protein Expression)

    To determine whether 4 months of Canagliflozin modifies CD34+ cell number, gene expression and migration function. The investigators will obtain a total of approximately 95 mL of peripheral blood per visit. Of these 95 mL, 60-70 mL will be used to obtain CD34+ cells from mononuclear cell (MNC) population and 25-35 mL for biochemistry and plasma ELISA assays. MNC will be obtained from whole blood similar to protocols described before [13,14]. MNCs will be put through CD34 magnetic bead column to obtain CD34+ cells (Miltenyi Biotec). Purity of CD34+ cells, post sort, usually is above 90%, to be verified by FACS analysis.

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  2. Gene Expression and Function Change of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Cell Percentages)

    To determine whether 4 months of Canagliflozin modifies CD34+ cell number, gene expression and migration function. The investigators will obtain a total of approximately 95 mL of peripheral blood per visit. Of these 95 mL, 60-70 mL will be used to obtain CD34+ cells from mononuclear cell (MNC) population and 25-35 mL for biochemistry and plasma ELISA assays. MNC will be obtained from whole blood similar to protocols described before [13,14]. MNCs will be put through CD34 magnetic bead column to obtain CD34+ cells (Miltenyi Biotec). Purity of CD34+ cells, post sort, usually is above 90%, to be verified by FACS analysis.

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  3. Gene Expression and Function Change of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Cell Counts)

    To determine whether 4 months of Canagliflozin modifies CD34+ cell number, gene expression and migration function. The investigators will obtain a total of approximately 95 mL of peripheral blood per visit. Of these 95 mL, 60-70 mL will be used to obtain CD34+ cells from mononuclear cell (MNC) population and 25-35 mL for biochemistry and plasma ELISA assays. MNC will be obtained from whole blood similar to protocols described before [13,14]. MNCs will be put through CD34 magnetic bead column to obtain CD34+ cells (Miltenyi Biotec). Purity of CD34+ cells, post sort, usually is above 90%, to be verified by FACS analysis.

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  4. Gene Expression and Function Change of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Cell Proliferation)

    To determine whether 4 months of Canagliflozin modifies CD34+ cell number, gene expression and migration function. The investigators will obtain a total of approximately 95 mL of peripheral blood per visit. Of these 95 mL, 60-70 mL will be used to obtain CD34+ cells from mononuclear cell (MNC) population and 25-35 mL for biochemistry and plasma ELISA assays. MNC will be obtained from whole blood similar to protocols described before [13,14]. MNCs will be put through CD34 magnetic bead column to obtain CD34+ cells (Miltenyi Biotec). Purity of CD34+ cells, post sort, usually is above 90%, to be verified by FACS analysis.

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Serum Endothelial Inflammatory Markers (1)

    IL-6, and TNF-alpha

    Measured: measured at 8 and 16 (reported) weeks post treatment

  2. Fasting Lipid Profile

    Measured from a serum blood Lipid Panel: cholesterol and serum ketone bodies

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported (also measured at 8 weeks)

  3. Glycemic Control (HbA1C)

    As determined by HbA1C values

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  4. BMI

    Determined as weight in kg divided by height in meters squared

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment

  5. Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

    Using ReeVue (trademark) machine, with or without SGLT2 inhibitor therapy to ascertain if Cana has any effect on RMR. Other related trials have shown weight loss but effect on metabolic rate has not been studied .

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment

  6. Pulse Wave Velocity

    Vessel health assessed by using arterial tonometry with the SphygmoCor CP system from ATCOR .

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported (also measured at 8 weeks)

  7. Serum Endothelial Inflammatory Markers (2)

    Highly selective C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)

    Measured: measured at 8 and 16 (reported) weeks post treatment

  8. Glycemic Control

    Measured from blood glucose values (fasting) during visit

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  9. Body Fat Percentage

    Measured using a Tanita body composition scale

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment

  10. Augmentation Index (Pulse Wave Analysis)

    Vessel health assessed by using arterial tonometry with the SphygmoCor CP system from ATCOR. Higher values generally correlate with increased cardiovascular risk.

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported (also measured at 8 weeks)

  11. Kidney Function Markers

    Creatinine Clearance and Kidney Function measured from compiled results from a urine sample and blood tests

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  12. Creatinine (Urine)

    Creatinine Clearance and Kidney Function measured from compiled results from a urine sample and blood tests

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  13. Microalbumin

    Creatinine Clearance and Kidney Function measured from compiled results from a urine sample and blood tests

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

  14. eGFR

    Creatinine Clearance and Kidney Function measured from compiled results from a urine sample and blood tests

    Measured: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study startNov 2016
  3. Primary completionJan 2020
  4. Study completionSep 2020

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
34 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02964585
Sponsor's protocol ID
GW-CANA-081635
Status last verified
Nov 2022
First submitted
6 Oct 2016
Last updated
7 Dec 2022
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Sen S, Strappe PM, O'Brien T. Gene transfer in endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. Methods Mol Med. 2005;108:299-314. doi: 10.1385/1-59259-850-1:299.

    PubMed 16028691
  • Krenning G, Dankers PY, Drouven JW, Waanders F, Franssen CF, van Luyn MJ, Harmsen MC, Popa ER. Endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in patients with progressive chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2009 Jun;296(6):F1314-22. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.90755.2008. Epub 2009 Apr 1.

    PubMed 19339628
  • Department of Health and Human Services, NIH and National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, "National Diabetes Statistics: 2007 and 2011 Fact Sheet." 2011

  • American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes--2014. Diabetes Care. 2014 Jan;37 Suppl 1:S14-80. doi: 10.2337/dc14-S014. No abstract available.

    PubMed 24357209
  • Afkarian M, Sachs MC, Kestenbaum B, Hirsch IB, Tuttle KR, Himmelfarb J, de Boer IH. Kidney disease and increased mortality risk in type 2 diabetes. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Feb;24(2):302-8. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2012070718. Epub 2013 Jan 29.

    PubMed 23362314
  • Rask-Madsen C, King GL. Mechanisms of Disease: endothelial dysfunction in insulin resistance and diabetes. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jan;3(1):46-56. doi: 10.1038/ncpendmet0366.

    PubMed 17179929
  • Stanton RC. Sodium glucose transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibition decreases glomerular hyperfiltration: is there a role for SGLT2 inhibitors in diabetic kidney disease? Circulation. 2014 Feb 4;129(5):542-4. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.007071. Epub 2013 Dec 13. No abstract available.

    PubMed 24334174
  • Oliva RV, Bakris GL. Blood pressure effects of sodium-glucose co-transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2014 May;8(5):330-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2014.02.003. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

    PubMed 24631482
  • Sabyasachi Sen, Sarah Witkowski, Ann Lagoy, Ashequl M. Islam: A six-week home exercise program improves endothelial function and CD34+ circulating progenitor cells in patients with pre-diabetes. J Endocrinol Metab.2015; 5 (1-2):163-171, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jem273w.

  • Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Bohm M, Nickenig G. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2005 Sep 8;353(10):999-1007. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa043814.

    PubMed 16148285
  • Losordo DW, Schatz RA, White CJ, Udelson JE, Veereshwarayya V, Durgin M, Poh KK, Weinstein R, Kearney M, Chaudhry M, Burg A, Eaton L, Heyd L, Thorne T, Shturman L, Hoffmeister P, Story K, Zak V, Dowling D, Traverse JH, Olson RE, Flanagan J, Sodano D, Murayama T, Kawamoto A, Kusano KF, Wollins J, Welt F, Shah P, Soukas P, Asahara T, Henry TD. Intramyocardial transplantation of autologous CD34+ stem cells for intractable angina: a phase I/IIa double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Circulation. 2007 Jun 26;115(25):3165-72. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.687376. Epub 2007 Jun 11.

    PubMed 17562958
  • Zinman B, Wanner C, Lachin JM, Fitchett D, Bluhmki E, Hantel S, Mattheus M, Devins T, Johansen OE, Woerle HJ, Broedl UC, Inzucchi SE; EMPA-REG OUTCOME Investigators. Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2015 Nov 26;373(22):2117-28. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1504720. Epub 2015 Sep 17.

    PubMed 26378978
  • Nandula SR, Kundu N, Awal HB, Brichacek B, Fakhri M, Aimalla N, Elzarki A, Amdur RL, Sen S. Role of Canagliflozin on function of CD34+ve endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2021 Feb 13;20(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12933-021-01235-4.

    PubMed 33581737

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Canagliflozin in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, run by George Washington University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 37 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Dec 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Dec 2022). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Gene Expression and Function Change of CD34+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Protein Expression) (time frame: 16 weeks post Canagliflozin treatment reported). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02964585, which also lists 13 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Dec 2022.

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