By Nancy Lapid
London: Certain genes may identify those obese patients most likely to respond strongly to Novo Nordisk’S weight loss medicine Wegovi, researchers reported on Monday.
The study, released at the Digestive Disease Week meeting in Washington, found a 95 percent chance that patients had the problem. genetic profile Will be a strong responder to treatment.
Given Wegovi’s expense, the findings could be used to identify patients who are likely to benefit most from it, according to Dr. Andres Acosta Mayo Clinic In Rochester, Minnesota, one of the researchers.
Some people with obesity, Acosta said, have a genetic profile that contributes to what’s called a “hungry gut” — that is, they feel full during a meal but become hungry again shortly afterward because Food passes through their stomachs more quickly than most other people, Acosta said.
The study included 84 patients prescribed Vegovy for the treatment of obesity. who have genetic variants The study found that those on the “hungry gut” regimen lost an average of 14.4 percent of their total body weight after nine months on the drug and 19.5 percent after a year.
By comparison, study participants without this genetic profile lost 10.3 percent of their body weight after nine months and nothing more by 12 months.
Acosta said researchers had previously observed a similar pattern in patients taking the weight-loss drug liraglutide, which is marketed by Novo Nordisk under the names Victoza and Saxenda.
While patients without the “hungry gut” gene lost some weight on Wegovi, they may be able to lose the same amount of weight with it. less expensive treatments, Acosta said. List price for Wegovi is also called semaglutideThat’s $1,349.02 per month.
“When you’re going to spend that much money,” Acosta said, “you have to ask, ‘Is there a cheaper approach that will give the same results in some patients, perhaps other drugs or surgeries?'”
Larger studies are needed to further assess the reliability of the “hungry gut” genetic profile. diverse populationThe researchers said.
If the new results are confirmed, Acosta said, doctors could finally tell some of their patients, “‘We know why you’re struggling with obesity,’ and we can say with confidence, ‘This The expensive medicine will help you,’ or, ‘Hey, this might not be for you.'”
(Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Michelle Gershberg and Will Dunham)
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