At the recent EADV Congress (25 to 28 September 2024), a first-of-its-kind study demonstrated that semaglutide can significantly improve outcomes for obese patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a common and chronic skin condition. [1].
Semaglutide, a ‘GLP-1 receptor agonist’, mimics the action of GLP-1, a gut hormone that increases insulin release in response to food, aiding blood glucose control. It is widely used as an antidiabetic medication for type 2 diabetes (sold as Ozempic and Rybelsus) and as an anti-obesity treatment (marketed as Wegovy).
HS is a chronic skin condition characterized by painful lumps, abscesses, and scarring in areas of friction, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts. While its exact cause is not fully understood, obesity is a known risk factor, and weight loss is often associated with symptom improvement.
Despite advances in managing HS, treatment options remain limited and often carry significant side effects, creating a need for more effective and better-tolerated therapies.
The first study, led by Dr Daniel Lyons and presented at the 2024 EADV Congress, explored the use of semaglutide in treating HS [1]. Researchers analysed data from June 2020 to March 2023, tracking 30 obese patients (27 females, 3 males, average age 42) with varying stages of HS. Patients received a once-weekly mean dose of 0.8 mg of semaglutide over an average of 8.2 months.
Outcomes were measured through changes in body mass index (BMI), weight, flare frequency, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) value, pain levels and biochemical markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
The study revealed significant improvements across several key health outcomes.
Patients experienced fewer HS flare-ups (decreasing from an average of every 8.5 weeks to every 12 weeks), with the average BMI decreasing from 43.1 to 41.5 and mean weight dropping significantly from 117.7 kg to 111.6 kg. Notably, one-third of the patients lost 10 kg or more during the treatment period and achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in DLQI scores.
Biochemical markers also showed positive changes: HbA1c levels decreased from 39.3 to 36.6, indicating better glycaemic control, and CRP levels fell from 7.8 to 6.9, reflecting reduced inflammation.
These findings suggest that semaglutide, even at modest doses, offers considerable benefits in managing HS and provides a promising adjunct therapy for dermatologists to consider in conjunction with existing treatments.
No biosimilar of semaglutide has been approved in Europe and the US. However, in mid-April 2024, India-based Biocon Biologics signed an exclusive licensing and supply agreement, granting Brazil’s Biomm SA the rights to commercialise semaglutide [2].
On 3 April 2024, China’s Jiuyuan Gene Engineering submitted an application to China’s National Medical Products Administration, seeking approval to market Jiyoutai, its follow-on biological version of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic.
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References
1. EADV Congress; 25-28 September 2024; The Netherlands. Semaglutide improves outcomes for obese patients with common skin condition, new study shows.
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biocon and Biomm forge alliance to bring semaglutide diabetes treatment to Brazil [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Oct 1]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/pharma-news/biocon-and-biomm-forge-alliance-to-bring-semaglutide-diabetes-treatment-to-brazil
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