Assessing the Efficacy of Lixisenatide in Managing Parkinson’s Disease Progression
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 22nd, 2024
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The majority of current biological interventions for Parkinson’s disease focus on dopamine replacement therapy, as dopamine deficiency is a central feature of the condition. However, recent research has identified a heightened risk of Parkinson's in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, individuals treated with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists appear to have the lowest risk of developing Parkinson's. In response to these findings, the French Ministry of Health initiated a study to investigate the potential of using Lixisenatide, a GLP-1R agonist commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
The phase 2 clinical trial recruited a total of 156 individuals aged between 40 and 75 years who had received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease within the last three years. Nearly all participants were undergoing treatment with Levodopa, with over half also receiving dopamine agonists or MAO-B inhibitors. Through random assignment, participants were divided into two groups: one receiving Lixisenatide and the other receiving a placebo, administered via daily subcutaneous injection 15 minutes before dinner. Lixisenatide was initially given at a daily dose of 10 ug for the first 14 days, followed by an increased dose of 20 ug for the remainder of the study period. Progression of the disease was monitored every three months using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale established by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS-URPDS). After 12 months of treatment, findings indicated that Lixisenatide use was associated with minimal progression of Parkinson’s disease compared to the placebo group. However, the usage of Lixisenatide was also linked to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events including nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux.
The phase 2 clinical trial recruited a total of 156 individuals aged between 40 and 75 years who had received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease within the last three years. Nearly all participants were undergoing treatment with Levodopa, with over half also receiving dopamine agonists or MAO-B inhibitors. Through random assignment, participants were divided into two groups: one receiving Lixisenatide and the other receiving a placebo, administered via daily subcutaneous injection 15 minutes before dinner. Lixisenatide was initially given at a daily dose of 10 ug for the first 14 days, followed by an increased dose of 20 ug for the remainder of the study period. Progression of the disease was monitored every three months using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale established by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS-URPDS). After 12 months of treatment, findings indicated that Lixisenatide use was associated with minimal progression of Parkinson’s disease compared to the placebo group. However, the usage of Lixisenatide was also linked to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events including nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux.