Transfer of patients with diabetes from semisynthetic human insulin to human insulin prepared by recombinant DNA technology using Baker's yeast: A double-blind, randomized study

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, 12-month study was conducted to determine if patients with diabetes could be transferred safely and effectively from semisynthetic human insulin (ssHI) to human insulin produced by recombinant DNA technology using baker's yeast as the host cell [rDNA HI (BY)]. Sixty-five patients who ranged in age from 19 to 67 years and who had been on a stable dose of NPH or Lente® ssHI with or without Regular ssHI participated. Forty-three were transferred randomly to rDNA HI (BY) and 22 continued on ssHI. Evaluation at both six and 12 months of treatment indicated no statistically or clinically significant differences between the ssHI and rDNA HI (BY) groups with regard to the mean changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin, total daily insulin dose, or body weight. In addition, the proportions of patients who had episodes of mild or moderate hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or other clinical experiences related to diabetes or treatment were similar in the ssHI and rDNA HI (BY) groups. No pattern of unexpected retinal changes occurred, nor were there any remarkable changes in human insulin antibody binding or in mean or individual yeast antibody values in either group. These results show that patients with diabetes can be safely and effectively transferred from semisynthetic human insulin to human insulin produced by rDNA technology from baker's yeast with no change expected in the insulin dose.