Hypothalamic obesity
During the pediatric conference, another speaker presented the results of a phase 2 study that evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of setmelanotide as a new treatment for hypothalamic obesity. Lesions in the hypothalamus can alter melanocortin 4 receptor pathway signaling and thus lead to hypothalamic obesity. Eighteen patients aged 6-40 years with a BMI greater than or equal to the 95th percentile (for patients aged 6-18 years) or greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 (for adults aged ≥ 18 years) and hypothalamic obesity (craniopharyngioma or other benign brain tumors, surgical removal, and/or chemotherapy) were enrolled. A significant proportion of patients achieved a reduction of greater than or equal to 5% of their BMI (n = 16, 88.9%, CI 90%, 69%-89%, P < .0001), and 72.2% achieved a reduction of greater than or equal to 10% by week 16. The mean change in BMI was −14.9% (9.6%, n = 17). These early results may justify further studies of setmelanotide in treating hypothalamic obesity.
Dr. Dubern has collaborated with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and Novo Nordisk.
This article was translated from the Medscape French Edition and a version appeared on Medscape.com.