Diabetes Dialogue: CKM Systems, Triple Agonists, and a Sensor Scandal Ahead of ADA

Welcome back to Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives!

In this episode, cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, discuss several major developments in diabetes technology and obesity therapeutics, beginning with Abbott’s announcement that its dual glucose-ketone monitoring systems, Libre Duo and Libre Duo 10 Day, have received CE mark approval in Europe. The hosts describe the devices as the first continuous glucose-ketone monitors capable of simultaneously measuring glucose and ketone levels through a single wearable sensor, with real-time ketone monitoring intended to identify rising risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).1

Bellini explains the rationale for separate 15-day adult and 10-day pediatric sensors, noting higher sensor failure rates and greater activity levels in children. Both hosts emphasize the potential clinical significance of continuous ketone monitoring, particularly for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using insulin pumps, where interruptions in insulin delivery can rapidly precipitate DKA.

The discussion further explores how continuous ketone monitoring may expand the safe use of SGLT2 inhibitors in people with T1D and other high-risk populations. Bellini highlights concerns surrounding euglycemic DKA associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy and suggests that continuous ketone data could help clinicians identify susceptible individuals earlier, potentially enabling safer and more individualized dosing strategies. Isaacs underscores the limitations of current ketone testing methods, particularly urine ketone testing, which she characterizes as outdated and insufficient for modern diabetes management. The hosts also review additional patient populations that may benefit from continuous ketone monitoring, including individuals with recurrent DKA, pediatric patients with highly variable glycemic patterns, and hospitalized patients at elevated risk for ketosis due to prolonged fasting or treatment interruptions.

Isaacs and Bellini also consider practical questions surrounding implementation, including reimbursement, cost, workflow integration, and compatibility with automated insulin delivery systems. They discuss whether continuous ketone monitoring could eventually become standard of care in T1D and debate the broader implications of widespread ketone data availability, including potential consumer interest outside traditional diabetes populations. Both hosts stress the importance of prioritizing access for patients at highest risk for DKA while acknowledging that broader adoption could reshape diabetes monitoring paradigms similarly to the evolution of continuous glucose monitoring.

The episode then turns to recent reports involving Dexcom sensors that were reportedly stolen after being removed from the manufacturing process for quality concerns. Bellini explains that some of the affected sensors may not have completed sterility and quality assurance procedures before entering secondary markets. The hosts caution clinicians to review affected lot numbers and encourage ongoing vigilance until additional information becomes available. They also discuss the challenges of communicating recalls and safety alerts directly to patients, particularly for users relying on standalone receivers that may not connect to cloud-based notification systems.2

Finally, Isaacs and Bellini review newly released topline results from the phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 trial evaluating retatrutide, Lilly’s investigational triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Bellini summarizes findings demonstrating substantial weight reduction among adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes, including mean weight loss exceeding 28% at 80 weeks and continued weight reduction through 104 weeks without evidence of plateau. The hosts note that nearly half of participants achieved at least 30% weight loss, approaching outcomes historically associated with bariatric surgery. They also highlight low discontinuation rates and discuss the implications of future TRIUMPH studies evaluating retatrutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Isaacs concludes that the emerging data signal a transformative shift in obesity treatment, with pharmacologic therapies increasingly approaching surgical efficacy and potentially reshaping long-term obesity management strategies.3

Editors’ Note: Isaacs reports disclosures with Dexcom, Abbott, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Medtronic, Insulet, and others. Bellini reports disclosures with Abbott Diabetes Care, MannKind, Povention Bio, and others.

References

1. Abbott. Abbott Secures CE Mark for World’s First Dual Glucose-Ketone Sensing Technology for People With Diabetes. May 27, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2026-05-27-Abbott-secures-CE-Mark-for-worlds-first-dual-glucose-ketone-sensing-technology-for-people-with-diabetes

2. Dexcom. Dexcom Uncovers Theft of Scrapped Product, Notifies Potentially Impacted Users. BusinessWire. May 26, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526622391/en/Dexcom-Uncovers-Theft-of-Scrapped-Product-Notifies-Potentially-Impacted-Users

3. Eli Lilly. Lilly’s triple agonist, retatrutide, delivered powerful weight loss in pivotal Phase 3 obesity trial. May 21, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-triple-agonist-retatrutide-delivered-powerful-weight-loss