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Leptin

Generic Name
Leptin
Drug Type
Small Molecule
CAS Number
169494-85-3
Unique Ingredient Identifier
Q09SXY6BFI
Background

Although leptin is a circulating signal that reduces appetite, in general, obese people have an unusually high circulating concentration of leptin. These people are said to be resistant to the effects of leptin, in much the same way that people with type 2 diabetes are resistant to the effects of insulin. Thus, obesity develops when people take in more energy than they use over a prolonged period of time, and this excess food intake is not driven by hunger signals, occurring in spite of the anti-appetite signals from circulating leptin. The high sustained concentrations of leptin from the enlarged fat stores result in the cells that respond to leptin becoming desensitized.

Indication

Investigated for use/treatment in lipodystrophy and obesity.

Clinical Trials
Related News

Roche and Zealand Pharma Forge $5.3 Billion Partnership to Develop Novel Obesity Treatments

• Roche has entered into a $5.3 billion collaboration with Zealand Pharma to co-develop petrelintide, a promising amylin analog for obesity treatment, both as monotherapy and in combination with Roche's incretin asset CT-388. • The partnership includes upfront payments of $1.65 billion to Zealand Pharma, with profits and losses to be shared 50/50 in the US and Europe, while Roche gains exclusive commercialization rights for the rest of the world. • Clinical data suggests petrelintide could deliver weight loss comparable to GLP-1 receptor agonists but with improved tolerability, potentially addressing unmet needs in the obesity market that is projected to affect 4 billion people globally by 2035.

Weight Loss Intervention Improves Inflammatory Markers in HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

• A phase 3 trial (BWEL) reveals that weight loss through lifestyle changes significantly improves inflammatory markers in women with HER2-negative breast cancer. • The weight-loss intervention led to approximately 5.7% weight loss at 1 year, resulting in a 20% reduction in insulin levels and a 25% improvement in insulin resistance. • The study observed improvements in metabolic hormones and inflammatory biomarkers, including leptin and C-reactive protein, among nearly 2,900 women. • Researchers will continue to follow patients to determine if these favorable biomarker changes translate into improved breast cancer outcomes.

Leptin-GLP-1 Combination Shows Promise in Obesity Treatment

• A novel obesity drug combination using leptin, a hormone discovered 30 years ago, with GLP-1 drugs shows promising results in new data published in Science Translational Medicine. • Initial hopes for leptin as an obesity treatment were unsuccessful, but new research casts the hormone in a new light when combined with GLP-1 drugs. • The leptin and GLP-1 combination could offer a new approach to obesity treatment by targeting body fat regulation.
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