The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intranasal insulin in people with type 1 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy and to determine whether intranasal insulin is effective in slowing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of human type I and II diabetes mellitus, identified in up to 50% of diabetic subjects regardless of age or type of diabetes. As the global burden of diabetes heightens due to an epidemic of type II diabetes, the prevalence of DPN will concurrently rise. Clinical features of DPN include loss of sensation, propensity towards traumatic wound formation, neuropathic pain, motor weakness and falls.

At this time there is no specific therapy to arrest or reverse DPN. Previous work has demonstrated not only an absolute reduction in plasma insulin levels in Type I diabetes but also in type II diabetics. At the present, therapy for neuropathic pain associated with DPN is available, but only targets symptom relief and is only partially effective.

Intranasal insulin administration is a novel approach to the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) based on robust basic science research. Intranasal insulin is currently being studied in other conditions and has completed Phase II in subjects with cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Intranasal administration of insulin results in increased penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid and the peripheral nervous system while avoiding systemic absorption. Lack of systemic absorption results in maintenance of normal blood glucose levels in normal healthy subjects.

The objectives of the current study are as follows:

1. Primary: To determine the safety and tolerability of intranasal insulin delivery in subjects with type 1 diabetes and DPN.
2. Secondary: To determine whether intranasal insulin is efficacious in slowing the progression of DPN.

This study is designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, controlled-dose escalation phase 2 pilot clinical trial.

The duration of the study for each subject is 11 weeks with 6 weeks of blinded study treatment. The study treatment is either active study drug (Novolin Toronto insulin) or placebo (normal saline).

The phases of the study are as follows:

1. Screening phase (3 weeks): Potential subjects undergo screening procedures to determine eligibility. Procedures include informed consent, review of medical history, anthropometric measures, vital signs, physical examination (including a neurological assessment), and bloodwork.
2. Baseline phase (2 weeks): Eligibility of subjects is confirmed and subjects commence collection of protocol-specified blood glucoses on a daily basis. Nerve conduction tests and corneal confocal microscopy is completed prior to the start of the next phase.
3. Treatment phase (6 weeks): Subjects commence the study treatment at the lowest protocol-specified dose. If assigned to Novolin Toronto insulin, this is 20 international units (IU) twice daily (BID). Return visits to the clinic occur every two weeks for dose escalation. The dose increase is 40 IU BID, then 80 IU BID. Subjects assigned to normal saline receive a volume equivalent to the total volume given to the subjects taking insulin. Visits during the treatment phase also include safety bloodwork, serial blood glucose measurements every 15 minutes for a 2 hour period, review of any hypoglycemia, adverse events, changes to concomitant medications, assessment of neuropathy, questionnaires, teaching, and study treatment accountability/compliance assessment. The study completes at the 11 week time period, immediately prior to which the second nerve conduction study and corneal confocal microscopy is completed.

The study protocol is designed to monitor hypoglycemia throughout the baseline and treatment period for all subjects. Any severe hypoglycemia or significant increases in hypoglycemia (>30% compared to the baseline phase) will be reviewed by the Investigator on a case-by-case basis to determine continuation with study treatment. Any subject that undergoes discontinuation of study treatment will be continued to be followed to 11 weeks (without study treatment).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients classified as having type 1 diabetes mellitus according to the Canadian Diabetes Association Criteria.

• Patients clinically defined as having DPN, meeting at least two of the following conditions:

  1. clinical signs of polyneuropathy;
  2. Symptoms of nerve dysfunction;
  3. Nerve conduction deficits in at least 2 nerves.

• Aged 18 through 70 years (inclusive).

• Body Mass Index (BMI) <30 kilograms/meter2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any other possible etiology contributing to the neuropathy:

  1. History of prolonged untreated hypothyroidism.
  2. Presence of untreated B12 deficiency.
  3. Presence of a paraproteinemia, detected using serum protein electrophoresis with a minimal threshold detection of 2 g/L.
  4. Use of a neurotoxic medication with a clear association with peripheral neuropathy within the past 1 year based upon clinical impression of association.
  5. Previous exposure chemotherapeutic agents with a clear association with peripheral neuropathy at any time.

• History of 2 or more severe hypoglycemic episodes within the previous 6 months.

• History of clustering of hypoglycemia episodes within the previous 12 months.

• History of active or recent (<5 years) malignancy.

• History of systemic or local nasal disease that would complicate the use of intranasal insulin.

• Presence of diabetic nephropathy requiring dialysis.

• Presence of active proliferative retinopathy requiring surgery within 6 months.

• Pregnancy or lactation (female subject of reproductive age must be on contraception).

• Active cardiovascular disease:

  1. Recent angina (<5 years)
  2. Recent myocardial infarction (<5 years)
  3. Congestive heart failure

• Active psychiatric disorder or previous history of psychosis.

• Unable to understand or provide consent.

• Previously documented hypersensitivity to insulin.

• History of hypoglycemia unawareness.

• Glycated hemoglobin < 7.0%.

• Ongoing involvement in another investigational drug trial.