Setmelanotide: new promise for the treatment of hypothalamic obesity?

With the increase in obesity prevalence worldwide, considerable efforts have been made to investigate the molecular and neurohormonal mechanisms of bodyweight control, as a means to identify novel therapeutic targets. As a paradigmatic example, characterisation of the physiological actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) paved the way for development of long-acting GLP-1 analogues that are revolutionising the pharmacological management of obesity. 1 Moore PW Malone K VanValkenburg D et al. GLP-1 agonists for weight loss: pharmacology and clinical implications. Adv Ther. 2023; 40: 723-742 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar Similarly, recognition of the fundamental roles of the leptin–melanocortin system in bodyweight homeostasis has opened up potential pathways to manage some forms of obesity. 2 Hinney A Körner A Fischer-Posovszky P The promise of new anti-obesity therapies arising from knowledge of genetic obesity traits. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022; 18: 623-637 Crossref PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar Setmelanotide for the treatment of acquired hypothalamic obesity: a phase 2, open-label, multicentre trialThese findings support setmelanotide as a novel effective treatment of hypothalamic obesity. Full-Text PDF