Dual agonist of incretin receptors: a novel antidiabetic drug is promising obesity therapeutic prospect
Abstract
The main role of anti-obesity drugs in comprehensive obesity management is to support favorable effects of behavioral lifestyle intervention on weight loss and obesity-related health risks. Nevertheless, only modest weight loss achieved with most anti-obesity medications available in the past has not met expectations of both patients and physicians.
A new generation of more efficient anti-obesity drugs includes drug combinations and gut hormone analogues. A novel approach to the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and related diseases is represented by tirzepatide, a single molecule which targets receptors of two gut hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
The paper summarizes the data on tirzepatide related to the mechanism of action, and recent clinical trials conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes and in patients with obesity without diabetes. Tirzepatide administration was associated with significant reductions of glycated hemoglobin concentrations and with improvement in insulin sensitivity and lipid profile.
Observed weight loss by more than 20 % has never been achieved with any drug until now used for the treatment of obesity and is comparable to results of less invasive bariatric procedures. Once-a-week administration of tirzepatide together with favorable safety and side-effects profile may contribute to patient compliance.
Future perspectives of obesity treatment with tirzepatide are discussed in detail.