American scientists have presented a new multifunctional drug that will assist patients with impaired lipid profiles. In a small, short-term study (12 weeks), the new drug DR10624 reduced triglyceride levels by more than 60% in most patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (5.65–22.6 mmol/L; a normal level is considered 0.2–1.7 mmol/L). The medication stimulates three receptors: FGF21, glucagon, and GLP-1 receptors, all of which assist in controlling the processing of fats and sugars. This is the first drug of its kind that simultaneously targets all three receptors. The study involved 79 adults with extremely high triglyceride levels (5.65–22.6 mmol/L). Participants in the first group received weekly subcutaneous injections of DR10624 at one of three dosages (12.5 mg, 25 mg, or titration up to 50 mg); the second group received a placebo. The study was double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the scientists knew who was in which group. 89% of the participants were male, and all indicated Asian origin (97.5% were Han Chinese). Results: The group receiving the 12.5 mg dosage of DR10624 demonstrated a 74.5% reduction in triglycerides. The group receiving the 25 mg dosage showed a 66.2% reduction. The group receiving the titrated 50 mg dosage showed a 68.9% reduction. In the placebo group, the reduction in triglycerides was 8%. The data reflect the high efficacy of DR10624: in most treated patients, triglyceride levels dropped below the threshold for severe hypertriglyceridemia, whereas improvements were infrequent in the placebo group. Patients in the DR10624 treatment group showed significant improvements in other important lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, “good” cholesterol (HDL), non-HDL cholesterol (the difference between “good” and total cholesterol), and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, patients receiving DR10624 experienced a 63.5% reduction in liver fat content. In the placebo group, this indicator decreased by only 8.4%. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal issues—nausea or upset stomach—which are frequently seen with medications targeting GLP-1 receptors. Although these side effects were mild, gastrointestinal symptoms may have a more significant impact on some patients and could present more challenges during long-term treatment. In future studies, gradually increasing the dosage of DR10624 over several weeks may help alleviate some symptoms. The researchers stated that the next step in clinical trials will be long-term studies with a larger number of participants and a more diverse patient population to assess the safety and efficacy of DR10624. In addition to the small sample size and short duration, the study has other limitations. For example, there was no statistically significant difference between participants in the DR10624 treatment group who were taking triglyceride-lowering drugs and those who were not taking any such medications. Another limitation is that DR10624 was not directly compared with other approved triglyceride-lowering drugs. These include fibrates, concentrated omega-3 fatty acids, and statins. It remains unclear whether the new drug is either more or less effective and safe compared to current treatment options. High triglyceride levels combined with high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol are associated with fat deposition in artery walls, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health problems, including pancreatitis. Additionally, high triglyceride levels often lead to the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, known as steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). The data were presented at the scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. This meeting is a leading global forum for sharing the latest scientific discoveries, research, and clinical practice updates in the field of cardiovascular disease therapy.
About the Author
