Possibility of using Retatrutide, a new hormone receptor agonist, to treat obesity
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 8th, 2023
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Retatrutide is a new agent produced by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly that can act as an agonist to the glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Thus, the agent can compete with these molecules for the receptor and block the signaling pathway that would lead to energy storage and fat accumulation. Information about the effectiveness and safety of Retatrutide had recently been published to the New England Journal of Medicine.
The phase 2 clinical trial included 338 participants who have a body mass index above 27 kg/m2 and are currently experiencing at least one weight-related health condition. These individuals were randomly assigned to be given a weekly subcutaneous injection containing either placebo or Retatrutide. To determine the optimal dosage and schedule, the participants who were given Retatrutide was further divided into 6 subgroups: 1 mg, 4 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg, 4 mg with an initial dose of 4 mg, 8 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg, 8 mg with an initial dose of 4 mg, or 12 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg. After 24 weeks of treatment, the researchers found that participants who were given 8 mg and 12 mg of Retatrutide experienced an average decrease of 17% from their baseline body weight. Those who were given 1 mg and 4 mg of Retatrutide lose 7% and 13% of their original weight, which is significantly higher than those in the placebo group that lose only 1.6%. Subsequent surveillance at the 48th week showed that the trend in weight loss was sustainable, with the 12-mg group experiencing slightly more weight loss than the 8-mg group. Besides the effectiveness of Retatrutide, one of the goal of the phase 2 clinical trial was to understand its safety profile. Between the different dose groups, gastrointestinal adverse events were the most commonly reported. In the majority of cases, they were mild events such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Those who were given the higher dosage of 8 mg and 12 mg experienced the most adverse events, and the rate of study discontinuation was approximately 16%.
The phase 2 clinical trial included 338 participants who have a body mass index above 27 kg/m2 and are currently experiencing at least one weight-related health condition. These individuals were randomly assigned to be given a weekly subcutaneous injection containing either placebo or Retatrutide. To determine the optimal dosage and schedule, the participants who were given Retatrutide was further divided into 6 subgroups: 1 mg, 4 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg, 4 mg with an initial dose of 4 mg, 8 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg, 8 mg with an initial dose of 4 mg, or 12 mg with an initial dose of 2 mg. After 24 weeks of treatment, the researchers found that participants who were given 8 mg and 12 mg of Retatrutide experienced an average decrease of 17% from their baseline body weight. Those who were given 1 mg and 4 mg of Retatrutide lose 7% and 13% of their original weight, which is significantly higher than those in the placebo group that lose only 1.6%. Subsequent surveillance at the 48th week showed that the trend in weight loss was sustainable, with the 12-mg group experiencing slightly more weight loss than the 8-mg group. Besides the effectiveness of Retatrutide, one of the goal of the phase 2 clinical trial was to understand its safety profile. Between the different dose groups, gastrointestinal adverse events were the most commonly reported. In the majority of cases, they were mild events such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Those who were given the higher dosage of 8 mg and 12 mg experienced the most adverse events, and the rate of study discontinuation was approximately 16%.