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Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin receptor agonist that works specifically on appetite signals in the brain. It has been developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals, which sponsored the trial. In previous clinical trials, lorcaserin decreased body weight in non-diabetic overweight and obese individuals. Although current American Diabetes Association treatment guidelines recommend that individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve modest weight loss (5–7%) to improve glycemic control, weight loss has historically been more difficult to achieve among patients with type 2 diabetes than among those without diabetes.
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Over 85% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and obese people, and they often find weight loss more difficult than do non-diabetics. Weight losses of 5-10% can significantly improve glycemic control as well as other weight-related comorbid conditions. However, diet and exercise alone are often insufficient to achieve such weight losses in this population. There are a variety of medications approved to treat health risks such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, yet few have been approved to treat obesity, the greatest health threat of this century.
The Obesity Society is committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity. This new study on lorcaserin is one more example of the important research being conducted by TOS members to help inform both the medical community and the public. "If approved by the FDA, lorcaserin will provide an additional tool to fill the gap between lifestyle intervention alone at one end and bariatric surgical intervention at the other end," said Dr. Robert Kushner, past president of The Obesity Society. Dr. Kushner provided public comment to the advisory committee on behalf of The Obesity Society.
About The Obesity Society
The Obesity Society (www.obesity.org) is the leading scientific organization in North America dedicated to the study of obesity. The Obesity Society is committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity and keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. The Obesity Society's vision is to be the leader in understanding, preventing and treating obesity and in improving the lives of those affected. The Obesity Society's membership comprises approximately 2500 basic and clinical researchers, who have published extensively, and care providers in obesity treatment and prevention.
The Article Referenced in this News Release
Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Lorcaserin for Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The BLOOM-DM StudyPatrick M. O'Neil, Steven R. Smith, Neil J. Weissman, Meredith C. Fidler, Matilde Sanchez, Jinkun Zhang, Brian Raether, Christen M. Anderson and William R. ShanahanObesity (2012); 20 7, 1426–1436. doi:10.1038/oby.2012.66http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v20/n7/full/oby201266a.html
SOURCE The Obesity Society
