Genetic profile could predict finest response to weight-loss drug Wegovy

WASHINGTON — Sure genes could determine sufferers with weight problems who’re most certainly to reply strongly to Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy, researchers reported on Monday.

The examine, launched on the Digestive Illness Week assembly in Washington, discovered a 95% probability that sufferers with this genetic profile can be robust responders to the therapy.

Given the expense of Wegovy, the findings could be used to determine the sufferers most certainly to get the best profit from it, in line with Dr. Andres Acosta of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, one of many researchers.

Some folks with weight problems have a genetic profile that contributes to what’s known as a “hungry intestine” — that’s, they really feel full throughout a meal however develop into hungry once more shortly afterward as a result of meals leaves their abdomen extra shortly than in most different folks, Acosta mentioned.

The examine concerned 84 sufferers prescribed Wegovy for therapy of weight problems. These with the genetic variants related to “hungry intestine” misplaced a mean of 14.4% of their whole physique weight after 9 months on the drug and 19.5% after a 12 months, the examine discovered.

By comparability, examine members with out this genetic profile misplaced 10.3% of their physique weight after 9 months and nothing extra by 12 months.

Acosta mentioned the researchers beforehand noticed an analogous sample in sufferers taking the weight-loss drug liraglutide, which is marketed below the names Victoza and Saxenda by Novo Nordisk.

Whereas sufferers with out the “hungry intestine” genes did lose some weight on Wegovy, they may have the ability to lose related quantities with less-expensive therapies, Acosta mentioned. The checklist value for Wegovy, additionally known as semaglutide, is $1,349.02 monthly.

“When you are going to spend this a lot cash,” Acosta mentioned, “you must ask, ‘Is there a less expensive method that may yield the identical ends in some sufferers, possibly different drugs or surgical procedure?'”

Bigger research are wanted to evaluate the reliability of the “hungry intestine” genetic profile in additional various populations, the researchers mentioned.

If the brand new outcomes are confirmed, Acosta mentioned, medical doctors can lastly inform a few of their sufferers, “‘We all know why you’re fighting weight problems,’ and we will say with confidence, ‘This costly drug will show you how to,’ or, ‘Hey, this won’t be for you.'”