Semaglutide 2.4 Mg for the Management of Overweight and Obesity: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Semaglutide has demonstrated safe and effective weight loss for overweight and obesity, including participants with concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analyses (NMA) to compare weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg with pharmacological comparators for weight management in overweight or obesity.

Methods

The SLR was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. NMAs were performed to compare weight change for semaglutide 2.4 mg with comparators using data identified in the SLR. The populations of interest were total population, normal glucose tolerance, non-T2DM, pre-diabetes, and T2DM. Included outcomes were weight change from baseline (CFB, %) at 52 weeks and proportion of participants losing ≥5% baseline fasting body weight at 12 weeks (at full therapeutic dose).

Results

The SLR identified 108 RCTs examining non-surgical interventions, of which 41 were considered for inclusion in the NMAs. In all populations, semaglutide 2.4 mg was associated with a greater percentage weight CFB with 52 weeks of treatment versus all available comparators. In all populations, semaglutide was associated with a higher likelihood of participants losing ≥5% of baseline fasting body weight at 12 weeks versus all available comparators.

Conclusion

In NMA, semaglutide 2.4 mg demonstrated effective weight loss (≥5%) in the total population and all subpopulations of glucose tolerance versus active comparators. Semaglutide is an effective treatment that may address unmet need in the management of overweight and obesity.

Keywords:

• network meta-analysis
• obesity
• semaglutide
• systematic literature review

Abbreviations

BMI, body mass index; CFB, change from baseline; CHMP, European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use; DIC, deviance information criterion; FE, fixed effect; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; IBT, intensive behavioral therapy; ITT, intention-to-treat; LOCF, last observation carried forward; MCMC, Markov Chain Monte Carlo; NGT, normal glucose tolerance; NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; NMA, network meta-analyses; PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses; RCT, randomized placebo-controlled trials; RE, random effect; SAE, serious adverse events; SLR, systematic literature review; STEP, Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; TID, three times daily.

Data Sharing Statement

All data relevant to the manuscript are presented herein.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This review did not include human or animal participants and therefore ethical approval/informed consent was not required.

Consent for Publication

The authors consent to the publication of all materials submitted with this manuscript, including figures and tables.

Acknowledgments

We thank Helen Lilley (Mtech Access) who provided medical writing services in the preparation of the manuscript, funded by consultancy payments from Novo Nordisk.

Disclosure

Inger Smith is an employee of White Box Health Economics, which received contractor payments from Novo Nordisk for this work. Emily Hardy, Stephen Mitchell, and Sarah Batson are employees of Mtech Access, which received consultancy payments from Novo Nordisk for this work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work (including study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and preparation of the manuscript) was funded by Novo Nordisk.