Conference Coverage: American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions

GLP-1s Show Effectiveness as Adjunctive Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes, Obesity

The American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions highlighted promising findings on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) as adjunctive therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and overweight or obesity. A comprehensive literature review, spanning June 2023 to January 2025, analyzed 13 studies involving adults with T1D and a body mass index of 25 kg/m² or more treated with GLP-1s alongside insulin for at least 12 weeks.

This research establishes GLP-1s as a safe and effective addition to insulin therapy for this patient population. | Image Credit: Minerva Studio - stock.adobe.com

The analysis demonstrated that GLP-1 treatment significantly reduced body weight by an average of 4.51 kg and improved glycemic control with a 0.25% reduction in hemoglobin A_1c. Semaglutide and liraglutide use brought the greatest reductions in weight and hemoglobin A1c. Although the adjunctive therapy also led to decreased insulin doses and an increase in hypoglycemic episodes, no serious adverse events were reported, with gastrointestinal issues being the most common adverse effect. This research establishes GLP-1s as a safe and effective addition to insulin therapy for this patient population.

REFERENCE

Nowosielski B. GLP-1s effective as adjunctive therapy in patients with T1D, obesity: ADA 2025. Drug Topics. July 2, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/glp-1s-effective-as-adjunctive-therapy-in-patients-with-t1d-obesity-ada-2025

Mifepristone Reduces Hemoglobin A1c in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Hypercortisolism

The American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions highlighted the phase 4 CATALYST trial (NCT05772169), which demonstrated that mifepristone effectively reduces hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypercortisolism. CATALYST was a prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial that had 2 parts. Part 1 assessed the prevalence of hypercortisolism in patients with difficult-to-control T2D who were receiving usual care and was noninterventional. Part 2 assessed the safety and efficacy of mifepristone among this patient population.

Patients treated with mifepristone experienced a mean hemoglobin A_1c reduction of 1.47%, a substantial improvement compared with the 0.15% reduction seen in the placebo group. Investigators noted that 46% of the patients receiving mifepristone discontinued therapy, compared with 18% of patients who received placebo. The most common adverse events, which occurred in around 10% of patients, included fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypokalemia, peripheral edema, diarrhea, and dizziness. Increased blood pressure was also seen as an adverse event.

REFERENCES

Meara K. Mifepristone reduces HbA_1c in patients with T2D, hypercortisolism: ADA 2025. Drug Topics. June 26, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/mifepristone-reduces-hba1c-in-patients-with-t2d-hypercortisolism-ada-2025

GLP-1 Usage Increases Significant in Pediatric Populations With Type 2 Diabetes

In an abstract presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions, insights into diabetes management include a notable increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist use among pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Investigators from the Indiana University School of Medicine conducted a study to examine GLP-1 prescription patterns among pediatric patients with T2D. The study was a retrospective chart review that focused on obesity and hemoglobin A_1c trends from January 2019 to September 2024. The study cohort included 696 patients who had a total of 3054 health care visits during the study period.

A study revealed a dramatic rise in GLP-1 prescriptions for this patient population, surging from 12.3% in 2019 to 60.9% in 2024, showing a significant shift in treatment approaches for younger patients. Of the prescriptions, semaglutide accounted for 23.7% in 2024. Although dulaglutide had the highest number of prescriptions at 70.4% in 2019, that number fell to 7.8% by 2021. However, dulaglutide prescriptions increased in 2024 to 65.4%.

REFERENCE

Meara K. GLP-1 use increased significantly among pediatric patients with T2D in past 5 Years: ADA 2025. Drug Topics. June 25, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/glp-1-use-increased-significantly-among-pediatric-patients-with-t2d-in-past-5-years-ada-2025