Diabetes Dialogue: Actualizing the Optimal Role of Inhaled Insulin, with Joanne Rinker, MS, RDN

In the last decade, the concept of insulin use has undergone an evolution. As the push for more equitable access to insulin has grown to a fever pitch, the community has seen marked advances including the introduction of biosimilar insulins and the fastest-acting insulin to date received approval.

in 2014, technosphere insulin (Afrezza) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. A powder form of short-acting regular insulin taken by oral inhalation with meals, approval of technosphere insulin was based on a clinical trial program of more than 3000 patients, including 1026 with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 1991 with T2D.

Although the agent was approved more than half a decade ago, its role in patient algorithms continues to evolve. At the 16th annual conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2023), new data from the ABC study shed further light on the agent’s potential. Presented by Kevin Kaiserman, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and vice president of Medical Affairs in the Endocrine Business Unit for MannKind, results of the pilot study indicate those randomized to technosphere insulin experienced lower peak glucose levels 30 minutes faster (200 mg/dl at 60 minutes) than their counterparts in the study’s control group (264 mg/dL at 90 minutes) who received rapid-acting insulin analogue. Further analysis demonstrated those randomized to technosphere insulin experienced significantly lower mean post-prandial glucose from 45 to 120 minutes post-meal.

As part of their time in Berlin, Germany for ATTD 2023, the hosts of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives recorded multiple special edition conference coverage episodes. Among the bevy of guests who took part in the special edition episodes was Joanne Rinker, MS, RDN, associate director of Medical Education and Medical Affairs at MannKind. In this episode, hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist and CGM program coordinator at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, an endocrine nurse practitioner at R&B Medical Group, discuss technosphere insulin, its role in diabetes management, and what the future might hold in terms of research efforts around the agent.

Editor’s note: This episode is the second of 2 episodes featuring Rinker at ATTD 2023. Use this link to view her episode on the prevalence of auditory issues in diabetes and the need for increased awareness.