Researchers have identified certain genes that may help identify patients with obesity who are most likely to respond strongly to Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy. A study presented at the Digestive Disease Week meeting found that patients with a specific genetic profile had a 95% chance of being strong responders to the treatment. This information could be useful in determining which patients would benefit the most from the expensive drug, according to Dr. Andres Acosta of the Mayo Clinic.
Individuals with obesity who have a genetic profile associated with a “hungry gut” tend to feel full during a meal but quickly become hungry again because food leaves their stomach faster than in most people. The study involved 84 patients prescribed Wegovy for obesity treatment, with those possessing the genetic variants linked to a “hungry gut” losing an average of 14.4% of their total body weight after nine months on the drug, and 19.5% after a year. In comparison, those without this genetic profile lost 10.3% of their body weight after nine months and did not lose further weight by 12 months.
The researchers noted a similar pattern in patients taking the weight-loss drug liraglutide in the past, marketed as Victoza and Saxenda by Novo Nordisk. While patients without the “hungry gut” genes did experience some weight loss on Wegovy, they could potentially achieve similar results with less expensive therapies. With Wegovy’s high price tag of $1,349.02 per month, clinicians are considering alternative treatment options that might yield similar outcomes.
Further research is needed to validate the reliability of the “hungry gut” genetic profile in more diverse populations. If confirmed, doctors could personalize treatment plans for patients struggling with obesity by pinpointing those who would benefit most from Wegovy. This could potentially revolutionize the way obesity is managed by offering a more targeted approach to prescribing weight-loss medications based on genetic makeup.
The findings from this study could provide valuable insights into the personalized treatment of obesity and help healthcare professionals tailor interventions based on individual genetic profiles. Identifying patients who are more likely to respond well to specific treatments can improve outcomes and optimize resource allocation. Future research endeavors aim to expand on these findings and assess the broader applicability of the identified genetic markers in diverse patient populations to enhance the effectiveness of obesity management strategies.
In conclusion, the identification of genetic markers associated with treatment response in patients with obesity represents a significant step towards personalized medicine in weight management. By understanding the genetic underpinnings of individual responses to weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, clinicians can offer targeted interventions that are more likely to be effective for specific patient populations. Continued research efforts in this area hold great promise for enhancing the precision and efficacy of obesity treatment approaches, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals struggling with weight management.
