Liraglutide achieves 5.8% reduction in BMI for children aged 6-12

The phase 3 SCALE Kids study (NCT04775082) assessed liraglutide 3 mg in 82 children aged 6 to less than 12 with obesity who had not adequately responded to lifestyle therapy alone. The study, which randomised participants in a 2:1 ratio, demonstrated reductions in body mass index (BMI) and body weight over a 56-week treatment period followed by 26 weeks off-treatment.

The results presented by Dr Claudia Fox (University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA) showed a 5.8% decrease in BMI in the liraglutide group at week 56, compared with a 1.6% increase in the placebo group, with a treatment difference of 7.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.6 to -3.2; P<0.001) [1,2]. Notably, 46% of those on liraglutide achieved at least a 5% reduction in BMI. The liraglutide group also showed a 1.6% increase in body weight, markedly lower than the 10% increase observed in the placebo group, with a favourable treatment difference of 8.4% (95% CI -13.4 to -3.3; P=0.001). Minor improvements in diastolic blood pressure and HbA1C levels were observed, although not all were statistically significant.

Adverse events were comparable between groups, occurring in 89% of the liraglutide group and 88% of the placebo group, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common, particularly vomiting and nausea.

In conclusion, liraglutide 3 mg has shown a favourable benefit-risk profile for managing obesity in paediatric populations, with ongoing studies expected to provide further long-term safety and efficacy data.

1. Cox CK, et al. Liraglutide 3.0 mg for the treatment of obesity in children aged 6 to <12 years: results from the first randomised, phase 3 study. LBA 13, EASD 2024, 9-13 September, Madrid, Spain.
2. Fox CK, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024, Sep 10. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2407379.

 



Posted on 23 September 202423 September 2024