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Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
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Obesity medications in development

Candida J Rebello1, Frank L Greenway1

  • 1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|December 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Developing new obesity pharmacotherapies is critical due to neurobiological resistance to weight loss. Combining drugs targeting multiple pathways, including peripheral ones, may enhance efficacy and minimize side effects for effective obesity treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology
  • Neurobiology

Background:

  • Obesity presents a significant challenge due to complex neurobiological factors that impede weight loss.
  • Dysregulation of energy homeostasis necessitates the development of targeted pharmacotherapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical trial evidence for pharmacologic obesity treatments, including unapproved medications.
  • To provide expert opinion on the future of anti-obesity drug development.
  • To examine mechanisms of action for various drug classes, including GLP-1 agonists and CNS-acting agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov using terms 'Obesity AND Medications'.
  • Inclusion of clinical trials reported in English.
  • Focus on medications evaluated in clinical trials, including those not yet FDA-approved.

Main Results:

  • Review of clinical trial outcomes for various anti-obesity medications.
  • Analysis of mechanisms including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, co-agonists, and CNS/peripheral agents.
  • Identification of potential therapeutic strategies for obesity pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • The primary goal of anti-obesity therapy is to achieve efficacy with minimal side effects.
  • Combining pharmacotherapies that target multiple redundant pathways driving obesity can increase effectiveness.
  • Targeting peripheral mechanisms may be crucial to overcome limitations of centrally acting drugs in obesity treatment.
Keywords:
DGAT-1DiabetesFGF-21IncretinMetAP2 AgonistsMetabolic SyndromeSGLT-2Sirt-1/AMPKneurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors

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