A new study published in The Lancet has revealed promising results for semaglutide in reducing the risk of heart failure. The analysis, which combined data from four Novo Nordisk trials (SELECT, FLOW, STEP-HFpEF, and STEP-HFpEF DM), focused on patients with heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
The study found that semaglutide, a drug currently available as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, significantly lowered the risk of combined cardiovascular (CV) death or worsening heart failure (HF) events. Patients assigned to semaglutide experienced a 31% reduction in risk, with an incidence rate of 5.4% compared to 7.5% in the placebo group. Notably, semaglutide also led to a 41% reduction in the risk of worsening heart failure alone (2.8% versus 4.7% with placebo). While the study did not detect a significant effect on the incidence of CV death (3.1% with semaglutide versus 3.7% with placebo), it’s important to note that statistical analyses were not adjusted for multiplicity, and hazard ratios should not be interpreted as definitive treatment effects.
The analysis involved a pool of 3,743 participants and revealed some adverse events. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 21% of patients in the semaglutide group compared to 13.9% in the placebo group. Gastrointestinal disorders, a common side effect associated with GLP-1 agonists, led to treatment discontinuation in 11.1% of patients in the semaglutide group and 2.7% in the placebo group.
It is crucial to remember that semaglutide is not yet approved in the US for reducing heart failure outcomes. This study, while promising, requires further investigation and potential approval processes.
The research highlights the growing interest in GLP-1 agonists, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Eli Lilly And Co’s Zepbound, for addressing a wider range of health conditions beyond diabetes and weight management. These medications show potential in areas such as addiction, sleep apnea, and even cancer prevention. Research suggests they may play a role in preventing obesity-related cancers like breast, colon, liver, and ovarian cancers by regulating hormones, slowing digestion, and reducing hunger.
The findings of this study are significant for the medical community and further fuel the ongoing research into the potential of semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists in various therapeutic applications.
