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Review
. 2022 Mar;18(1):43-48.
doi: 10.17925/EE.2022.18.1.43. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Analogues for the Treatment of Obesity

Affiliations
Review

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Analogues for the Treatment of Obesity

David M Williams et al. touchREV Endocrinol. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

There is an increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which frequently reduces quality of life and life expectancy. Consequently, there is a substantial and growing personal and economic burden necessitating the development of more effective therapies for obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues (GLP-1RAs) are licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and there is substantial evidence that these drugs not only improve cardiovascular outcomes but also promote weight loss. More recent evidence supports the use of the GLP-1RAs liraglutide and semaglutide in people with obesity without T2D. This article discusses the results of the major cardiovascular outcome trials for GLP-1RAs in people with T2D, the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes study (Effect of liraglutide on body weight in non-diabetic obese subjects or overweight subjects with co-morbidities: SCALE™ - Obesity and Pre-diabetes; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01272219; investigating liraglutide) and the STEP studies (Semaglutide treatment effect in people with obesity; assorted studies; investigating subcutaneous semaglutide). We also highlight the importance of a cost-effective approach to obesity pharmacotherapy. Clinicians should consider the use of GLP-1RAs in people with obesity, especially those with T2D or other obesity-related diseases, such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Ongoing trials, as well as clinical and cost-effectiveness appraisals, are anticipated over the next 12 months, and their findings may change the current landscape of obesity pharmacotherapy.

Keywords: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogue; diabetes mellitus; liraglutide; obesity; overweight; semaglutide; type 2 diabetes; weight loss; weight management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: David M Williams and Matthew Staff have no financial or non-financial relationships or activities to declare in relation to this article. Stephen C Bain reports grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-Aventis; personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Merck Sharp & Dohme; grants from Medscape; expert advice provided to All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence UK; and partnership in Glycosmedia. Thinzar Min reports personal fees and travel grants from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Napp.

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