Young Adults With Early-onset Obesity Treated With Semaglutide

What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05574439 ↗

Description as written by the study sponsor.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of obesity is particularly pronounced among adolescents. Currently available treatment options consist of structured lifestyle interventions. However, 25 % of adolescents do not respond to lifestyle treatment, why new effective treatment strategies are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lifestyle interventions combined with the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide to young adults with otherwise treatment resistant obesity. Methods and analysis: This is an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. 180-270 young adults (age 18-28) will be recruited from The Childrens Obesity Clinic (TCOC), Department of Pediatrics, Holbæk Hospital. Based on their previous response to the TCOC protocol the participants will be divided in four groups: Group A: Non-responders: 55-85 young adults with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) who have not reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \<0.1, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children. Group B: Insufficient responders: 55-85 young adults who have reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \>0.25, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children but still have obesity as young adults (BMI≥30 kg/m2) Group C: Excellent responders: 35-50 young adults, who have reduced adiposity, defined as BMI SDS reduction \>0.5, during the structured lifestyle counselling as children and no longer have obesity as young adults (BMI\<30 kg/m2) Group D: Population-based reference group (normal weight development): 35-50 young adults, who have participated in The Holbaek Study as children. Group A and B are randomized 2:1 to either semaglutide or placebo for 68 weeks. Group C and D will attend baseline examinations only and not undergo intervention. The primary endpoint is change in BMI from randomization to end-of-treatment. Ethics and dissemination: The trial has been approved by the Danish Medicines Agency (EudraCT 2019-002274-31) and by the ethical committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-20039422). The trial will be conducted in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and monitored to follow the guidelines for good clinical practice. Results will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Treatments tested

• TCOC treatment Behavioral

  The TCOC protocol is a chronic care, family-based and multidisciplinary childhood obesity treatment program involving behavior-changing techniques, based on current guidelines for best-practice and authoritative recommendations involving a multidisciplinary tertiary team of health care professionals.

• Semaglutide 3 mg/ml Drug

  Participants will be instructed to initiate at 0.24 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, and in 4 week intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. In case of prolonged side effects the dose may be adjusted to lower than 2.4mg/week.

• Placebo (Semaglutide 3 mg/ml) Drug

  Participants will be instructed to initiate at 0.24 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, and in 4 week intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. In case of prolonged side effects the dose may be adjusted to lower than 2.4mg/week.