A recent study presented at the Digestive Disease Week meeting in Washington revealed that certain genes may identify patients with obesity who are most likely to respond strongly to Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy. Researchers found that individuals with a specific genetic profile had a 95% likelihood of being strong responders to the treatment. Dr. Andres Acosta of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, one of the researchers, stated that these findings could be used to identify patients who are most likely to benefit the most from Wegovy due to its high cost.
The study focused on individuals with obesity who have a genetic profile related to a “hungry gut,” where they feel full during a meal but become hungry again shortly afterward. This is because food leaves their stomach more quickly than in most other people. Participants with this genetic profile lost an average of 14.4% of their total body weight after nine months on Wegovy and 19.5% after a year. On the other hand, those without this genetic profile lost only 10.3% of their body weight after nine months and did not lose any more weight by 12 months. Similar results were observed in patients taking the weight-loss drug liraglutide, marketed under the names Victoza and Saxenda by Novo Nordisk.
While patients without the “hungry gut” genes did experience some weight loss on Wegovy, the study suggests that they could achieve similar results with less expensive therapies. Given Wegovy’s high price of $1,349.02 per month, it is important to consider more cost-effective options that yield comparable results for these individuals. Additionally, Dr. Acosta emphasized the need for larger studies to confirm the reliability of the “hungry gut” genetic profile in more diverse populations. If these results are validated, doctors could use this information to tailor treatment plans for their patients with obesity, advising those with the genetic profile to use Wegovy and others to explore alternative options.
The researchers believe that these findings could revolutionize the treatment of obesity by personalized medicine, allowing doctors to explain to patients struggling with weight loss why they may be facing challenges. With the identification of specific genes related to treatment responsiveness, doctors will be able to confidently recommend Wegovy to eligible patients while advising others on alternative approaches. By understanding the genetic factors influencing an individual’s response to weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, healthcare providers can deliver more targeted and effective interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
In summary, the study presented at the Digestive Disease Week meeting highlights the potential of genetic profiling in identifying patients with obesity who are most likely to respond strongly to the weight-loss drug Wegovy. By understanding and utilizing specific genetic markers related to treatment response, doctors can tailor treatment plans to individual patients, optimizing the effectiveness of therapies like Wegovy. These findings open up new possibilities for personalized medicine in the management of obesity, ultimately improving outcomes for patients struggling with weight loss. Further research is needed to validate these results in larger and more diverse populations, but the potential impact on obesity treatment is promising.
