At the recent ObesityWeek conference, new data from the SURMOUNT-1 trial demonstrated that once-weekly tirzepatide (Zepbound) prevents the progression from pre diabetes to type 2 diabetes (T2D) by over 90% at three years, with significant and sustained weight loss benefits. Presented by Eli Lilly, these findings have ignited hope for a new era in long-term diabetes prevention.
Key Findings:
Reduction in Diabetes Risk: Over 176 weeks, only 1.2% of participants on tirzepatide developed type 2 diabetes, compared to 12.6% in the placebo group, marking a 94% reduction in risk. Nearly all tirzepatide users returned to normal blood sugar levels, compared to 60% in the placebo group.
Weight Loss Maintenance: Participants maintained an average weight loss of 15.6 to 24.5 kg from a baseline of 107.4 kg throughout the study, along with improvements in waist size, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Off-Drug Period Impact: In a 17-week off-drug period after stopping treatment, participants regained about 7% of the lost weight and HbA1c levels started returning to baseline. Eight additional cases of T2D were noted in this period, highlighting the potential need for long-term treatment.
Dr. Leigh Perreault, associate professor of endocrinology and co-investigator of the study, highlighted tirzepatide’s potential to revolutionize diabetes prevention, comparing chronic weight management with tirzepatide to long-term treatments for conditions like asthma and diabetes.
Expert Insights on Future Directions:
Dr. Francesco Rubino from King’s College London highlighted the importance of targeted use, acknowledging that not all prediabetic patients may require intervention. A precision medicine approach, tailored to specific patient needs and obesity drivers, could optimize the use of tirzepatide.
Dr. Susan Yanovski of the NIH commented on the sustained effects of GLP-1 drugs, envisioning a future where clinicians can select optimal therapies based on individual patient profiles.
This breakthrough suggests that obesity may soon be managed with a chronic care model, significantly reducing the incidence of T2D. Full trial results will be published in The New England Journal of Medicine on November 13, 2024.
