Liraglutide Shows Promise for Weight Loss in People with Rare Genetic Forms of Obesity
In a real-world cohort of adults with molecularly confirmed or suspected genetic obesity, liraglutide 3 mg produced clinically meaningful weight loss of ~5% with improvements in appetite, body composition, and metabolic markers.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Liraglutide 3 mg produced median weight loss of 4.7% (MCGO) and 5.2% (HSGO) after 12 weeks at maximum dose, with significant improvements in appetite, fat mass, fasting glucose, and HbA1c in adults with genetic obesity.
Key Numbers
The study included adults with molecularly confirmed genetic obesity (MCGO) and highly suspected genetic obesity (HSGO), tracked at a specialized center.
How They Did This
Real-world cohort study at Erasmus University Obesity Center, Rotterdam (March 2019–August 2023). 98 adults with molecularly confirmed (n=23) or suspected (n=75) genetic obesity received liraglutide 3 mg or naltrexone-bupropion per manufacturer protocol. Evaluation at 12 weeks on maximum/highest-tolerated dose assessed anthropometrics, body composition, metabolic markers, appetite, eating behavior, and quality of life.
Why This Research Matters
People with genetic obesity have few effective treatment options — lifestyle interventions that work for common obesity often fail for them. Showing that GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide are effective in this population could transform care for thousands of people with rare genetic conditions driving severe obesity.
The Bigger Picture
Genetic obesity affects a small but significant population — possibly 5-10% of severe early-onset obesity cases have identifiable genetic causes. As genetic testing becomes more common, more patients will be diagnosed. This study suggests GLP-1 drugs remain effective even when obesity has a genetic basis, broadening the population that can benefit from these medications.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Real-world study without placebo control — can't definitively attribute all weight loss to medication. Short-term evaluation (12 weeks) doesn't address long-term efficacy or weight regain. The HSGO group lacked molecular confirmation, so some may not have true genetic obesity. Relatively small sample, especially the MCGO group (n=23).
Questions This Raises
- ?Would newer GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide produce even greater weight loss in genetic obesity?
- ?Do specific genetic mutations predict better or worse response to GLP-1 therapy?
- ?Is the weight loss sustained beyond the 12-week evaluation period?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- ~5% weight loss in 12 weeks Liraglutide achieved clinically meaningful weight loss in adults with genetic obesity — a population where lifestyle interventions typically fail
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate evidence from a real-world cohort study at a specialized obesity center. The lack of placebo control and short follow-up limit conclusions, but the real-world setting adds practical relevance.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024, reflecting current clinical practice for pharmacotherapy in genetic obesity at a leading European obesity center.
- Original Title:
- Treatment with liraglutide or naltrexone-bupropion in patients with genetic obesity: a real-world study.
- Published In:
- EClinicalMedicine, 74, 102709 (2024)
- Authors:
- Welling, Mila S, de Groot, Cornelis J, Mohseni, Mostafa, Meeusen, Renate E H, Boon, Mariëtte R, van Haelst, Mieke M, van den Akker, Erica L T, van Rossum, Elisabeth F C
- Database ID:
- RPEP-09516
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is genetic obesity and how is it different from common obesity?
Genetic obesity is caused by specific mutations in genes that control hunger, satiety, or energy metabolism — often in the leptin-melanocortin pathway. People with genetic obesity typically develop severe obesity in early childhood and experience intense, uncontrollable hunger that lifestyle changes can't fix. It's estimated to account for 5-10% of severe early-onset obesity cases, though many cases remain undiagnosed.
Does this mean GLP-1 drugs work even if obesity is caused by genetics?
This study suggests yes — at least for short-term weight loss. Liraglutide produced about 5% weight loss in 12 weeks regardless of whether patients had molecularly confirmed or suspected genetic obesity. This is encouraging because it means GLP-1 drugs may work through pathways that aren't blocked by the specific genetic mutations causing the obesity, offering hope for a treatment-resistant population.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-09516APA
Welling, Mila S; de Groot, Cornelis J; Mohseni, Mostafa; Meeusen, Renate E H; Boon, Mariëtte R; van Haelst, Mieke M; van den Akker, Erica L T; van Rossum, Elisabeth F C. (2024). Treatment with liraglutide or naltrexone-bupropion in patients with genetic obesity: a real-world study.. EClinicalMedicine, 74, 102709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102709
MLA
Welling, Mila S, et al. "Treatment with liraglutide or naltrexone-bupropion in patients with genetic obesity: a real-world study.." EClinicalMedicine, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102709
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Treatment with liraglutide or naltrexone-bupropion in patien..." RPEP-09516. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/welling-2024-treatment-with-liraglutide-or
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.