A Nature journal study has found that people who have variations in two genes and are talking GLP-1s may find the drugs more effective, resulting in more weight loss than those without the gene variations.
But it also found these gene variations could explain why some people taking weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, experience worse side effects than others.
Read more: Less than half of Brits know GLP-1s are prescription-only, ASA finds
The study surveyed 23andMe research participants about their GLP-1 usage in August 2024, collecting over 27,855 respondents by the following August.
Using this data, scientists conducted a “large genome-wide association study (GWAS)” and found “robust evidence” that “variants in the GLP1R locus are associated with both differential weight loss and side effects”.
Further analysis also revealed an “additional nausea and vomiting association in the GIPR locus”, specifically within those taking tirzepatide, it said.
“Guide treatment strategy”
The study highlighted that “identifying factors that predict a person’s response to GLP-1 medications may help guide treatment strategy” in the future, including “choice of drug, dose and speed of dose escalation”.
And the findings provided “direct genetic evidence that variation in the drug target genes contributes to inter-person variability in response”, laying the foundation for “precision medicine approaches in the treatment of obesity”, it added.
The study concluded that although the “genetic effect sizes detected are modest”, it is likely that “additional data will reveal further associations and increase the predictive utility of genetics in this context”.
Read more: Eli Lilly’s new GLP-1 weight loss pill gets US approval
It comes after a new oral GLP-1 developed by Eli Lilly was approved for use in the US at the start of this month.
Lilly announced on April 1 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) greenlit once-daily drug orforglipron, brand name Foundayo, for “adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related medical problems”.
Meanwhile, the FDA wrote a “warning letter” to Novo Nordisk last month, alleging that the company had failed to report “serious and unexpected” adverse drug experiences associated with its GLP-1 products.
