Two of the most anticipated studies this year – critical, controlled, double-controlled, and double-blind trials of popular drugs for obesity and diabetes drugs for Alzheimer’s disease – unfortunately.
Novo Nordisk, the makers of Semaglutide, announced disappointing results early Monday morning. This drug did not reduce disease progression compared to placebo, trials show. The company will now close the expansion of these tests, although some experts and defense groups are confident about the possible future of GLP-1 therapy for Alz-1.
“While these results are not what we had hoped for, they will contribute to our understanding of this devastating and deadly disease,” said Joanne Pike, Alzmodo’s chief executive.
An Initial But Unfulfilled Promise
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic’s diabetes and WEGOVY obesity medications; It is also available as an oral diabetes medication under the brand name Rybelsus. It naturally mimics the natural hormone, which helps regulate our production and insulin production, among other things. Although it is not the first approved glp-1 drug, Semarlutide’s improved duration and potency have significantly changed the field of obesity medicine. Medicine is more effective in helping obese people lose weight than diet and exercise alone.
Over the years, various studies have suggested that a GLP-1 drug such as Semaglutide may also be able to prevent or slow down the progression of dementia. On the basis of this promising study, Novo Nordisk commissioned this phenomenon and initiated + phase 3 trials four years ago. These trials collectively involved 3,808 older adults (over the age of 55) with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were randomized to receive a weekly dose of semaglutide or placebo.
As in previous trials, semaglutide was generally safe and tolerable (the most common side effects are usually gastro-renal, such as nausea or vomiting). Semaglutive people seem to be improving with the development of biomaskers related to Alzheimer’s, according to Novo Nordisk. Ultimately, however, these developments did not translate into real world results. There was no significant difference in people’s perception of dementia between the two groups, the company said.
“Based on the important dose determined in Alzheimer’s disease and the number of visible data points, we saw that we were responsible for finding two well-controlled trials, despite the low scientific probability that they encountered. Research and Development at Novo Nordisk, in a statement.
The future of GLP-1S in dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most complex and devastating conditions we can develop. Even today, researchers still do not agree on the exact causes of Alzheimer’s, or on the best way to treat it. And this is not far from the first time that a promising Alzheimer’s drug candidate has failed to cross the finish line in late-stage clinical trials. So in many ways, these results are not very surprising.
But there may be some silver lining in this flop. Given the biomarker findings, it is possible that the GLP-1 drug can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, not just this or that specific way. There are GLP-1-based drugs, including many in development, generally more effective in treating obesity and diabetes than Semaglutide. So maybe that efficiency could apply to Alzheimer’s. And some of this is happening with other classes of drugs. After years of failure (and one controversial approval), there are now a few anti-amyloid drugs available that can be modestly acquired by the Alzheimer’s Sport.
Another consideration is time. It is possible to give anti-Alzheimer drugs to people who are at high risk of this disease – but years before they show any symptoms – they can be exposed more – is the hypothesis that the trials of other drugs are currently being tested.
Advocates like the Alzheimer’s Association aren’t giving up hope that GLP-1 therapy for Alzheimer’s could help, at least not yet.
“Although the Semaglutive pill did not help against Alzheimer’s, the field will continue to investigate this class of drugs, because, the Alzheimer’s organization remains an aggressive leader in this type of research and prevention,” said Maria Car Carrillo, who leads, in a statement to Gizmoto.
Novo Nordrisk’s announcement comes about a week before the company is expected to present the main results of two burning trials in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting in early December. These results can give a better sense of how much the drug is dreaming.
For now, however, these findings should also show why health research is so important. Many lab studies or physical studies will reduce the strength of the experimental drug or responder, only in future, descriptive trials to emerge. These initial studies are important in finding drugs or interventions that can work, but we must always remember that they will not illuminate much time.
This is a fitting reminder of GLP-1 Therapy, which has shown promise for treating conditions other than obesity, such as alcoholism. Other studies have confirmed the benefits of GLP-1S for certain health problems, such as heart disease. But this may not be the first and only flost we see with this class of drugs.
