Dorzagliatin is an original oral glucokinase activator developed by Hua Medicine specifically for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In clinical studies, the drug not only showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, but also contributed to the improvement of beta-cell function, which makes it particularly valuable in long-term disease management.
Confirmed effect on beta-cell function
Following the results of the DREAM (Dorzagliatin Remission Evaluation And Monitoring) phase III study, which lasted 52 weeks, a significant proportion of patients treated with Dorzagliatin had the following symptoms::
- improvement of insulin secretion on glucose load;
- improvement of HOMA2-βparameters, which indicates the restoration of sensitivity of β-cells to glucose;
- a steady decrease in the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) without increasing therapy.
The study involved patients with newly diagnosed T2DM who had not previously received medication. In the final phase , 65.2% of participants managed to achieve and maintain HbA1c < 7% without additional hypoglycemic drugs.
These data provide clinical evidence for remission , a condition where the patient’s metabolic parameters are stabilized without drug-induced enhancement of therapy. For the first time, pharmacological intervention has been shown not only to control sugar, but also to restore endogenous regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.
Potential prospects for type 1 diabetes
Based on the data on the effect of Dorzagliatin on beta cells, Hua Medicine is considering the prospect of clinical trials of the drug in type 1 diabetes mellitus. .This form of diabetes is characterized by autoimmune destruction of beta cells, but some patients in the early stages retain partial function of these cells, which may be the target link for Dorzagliatin.
At the moment, the following areas of scientific research have been announced::
- study of residual beta-cell function in patients with type 1 diabetes;
- evaluation of the possibility of glucokinase activation in conditions of insulin deficiency;
- prerequisites for combination therapy — as an adjunct to basal insulin.
So far, this direction is at the preclinical level. Hua Medicine did not announce the start of official research, but indicated interest in further scientific work in this direction.
What does this mean for the medical community
For endocrinologists and the scientific community, this means a new therapeutic approachbased on restoring the disturbed biology of the disease. Therapies targeting beta-cell function bring diabetes treatment closer to the concept of disease modification, rather than just symptom control.
For patients with type 2 diabetes, this confirms that early initiation of therapy is possible.:
- improvement of physiological insulin response;
- reducing the need for additional medications;
- improved glycemic control without risk of hypoglycemia;
- potential to preserve residual pancreatic function.
Dorzagliatin is the first drug in its class that not only reduces blood glucose levels, but also affects the fundamental mechanisms of diabetes pathogenesis, including the restoration of beta-cell activity. This makes it a key element in the current treatment of type 2 diabetes and a potential basis for further research in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Hua Medicine continues its scientific research in this area, creating the prerequisites for expanding the use of Dorzagliatin beyond its current indications.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
https://diabetesjournals.org
https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com
