Tirzepatide promotes weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight, type 2 diabetes

Patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) or overweight and T2DM lost approximately 34.4 pounds (15.7%) of body weight with 10 mg and 15 mg of tirzepatide (Mounjaro; Eli Lilly and Company), based on results from the SURMOUNT -2 global Phase 3 trials. Specifically, tirzepatide 10 mg reduced body weight by 5% or more in 79.2% of patients and reduced mean body weight by 12.8%, while the 15 mg dose reduced weight in 82.7% of patients and decreased mean body weight by 14.7%.

Credit: Adobe Stock – Mikhail Petrov

“Obesity is a difficult disease to manage, and it’s even harder for people with type 2 diabetes,” said Jeff Emmick, MD, PhD, senior vice president, product development, Lilly, in a recent press release. “The degree of mean weight reduction observed in SURMOUNT-2 has not been achieved previously in phase 3 trials for obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes.”

Tirzepatide is a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist; GIP and GLP-1 receptors regulate appetite. The molecule once a week acts on these receptors to reduce food intake and modulate the use of fat by the body.

Over 5,000 obese or overweight patients have enrolled in the SURMOUNT global Phase 3 clinical program since late 2019. SURMOUNT is evaluating tirzepatide for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and weight-related comorbidities .

SURMOUNT-2 (NCT04657003) was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial within the SURMOUNT clinical program. Researchers compared the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg to placebo as an add-on treatment to a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity in obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.

The primary outcomes were the superiority of tirzepatide 10 mg and/or 15 mg for mean percent change in body weight from baseline versus placebo, and the percentage of participants on tirzepatide with a 5% or greater reduction in body weight at 72 weeks compared to placebo. The trial enrolled 938 patients worldwide who were randomized 1:1:1 to receive tirzepatide 10 mg or 15 mg, or placebo.

Tirzepatide 15 mg was most effective in reducing body weight by 15% or more. A 15% reduction in body weight was achieved in 48% of patients on tirzapetide 15 mg, 39.7% of patients on tirzapetide 10 mg and 2.7% of patients on placebo.

The overall safety profile was consistent with previously reported SURMOUNT and SURPASS trials. The most common adverse events (AEs) included mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues while climbing. Patients experienced nausea (20.2% and 21.9% with 10 mg and 15 mg, respectively), diarrhea (19.9%, 21.5%), vomiting (10.9%, 13 .2%) and constipation (8.0%, 9.0%).

Results from the SURMOUNT-2 trial will be presented at the 83rd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association. Lilly will submit the results to a peer-reviewed journal and the FDA later this year.

Reference

Lilly’s tirzepatide resulted in up to 15.7% weight loss in obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes in SURMOUNT-2. Press release. April 27, 2023. Accessed April 28, 2023. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-tirzepatide-achieved-157-weight-loss-adults-obesity-or