Exenatide in Extreme Pediatric Obesity

Summary

Extreme pediatric obesity, the fastest growing category of obesity in youth, is associated with high risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Obesity tracks strongly into adulthood and interventions early in life may reduce risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Few drug therapies for weight loss have been evaluated in adolescents. Since exenatide is associated with weight loss and improves risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adults, it may be useful in extremely obese youth. Our primary objective in this study is to generate preliminary data on the ability of exenatide to reduce body mass index (BMI) and improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in 26 extremely obese adolescents (age 12-19 years) in a three-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. GLP-1 therapy has never been evaluated as a treatment for pediatric obesity and is an innovative approach to a challenging and significant health care problem.

Timeline

Start

2010-10

Primary completion

2012-05

Completion

2012-10

Publications

• Kelly AS, Rudser KD, Nathan BM, Fox CK, Metzig AM, Coombes BJ, Fitch AK, Bomberg EM, Abuzzahab MJ. The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy on body mass index in adolescents with severe obesity: a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2013 Apr;167(4):355-60. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.1045.

Drugs

Indications