Research Article Details
Article ID: | A20251 |
PMID: | 26063386 |
Source: | Expert Opin Biol Ther |
Title: | Metreleptin and generalized lipodystrophy and evolving therapeutic perspectives. |
Abstract: | INTRODUCTION: Metreleptin was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of generalized lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by leptin deficiency. Its efficacy as hormone replacement therapy suggests broader applications in diseases also characterized by leptin abnormalities, such as familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and common obesity. Metreleptin, in conjunction with other pharmacologic interventions, has the potential to address one of the most widespread epidemics of our time, obesity. AREAS COVERED: This review covers the physiology of leptin, the pharmacologic properties of recombinant methionyl human leptin (R-metHu-Leptin, metreleptin), evidence for metreleptin's efficacy in the treatment of generalized lipodystrophy from both completed and ongoing clinical trials, safety concerns, and future directions in metreleptin research. EXPERT OPINION: Metreleptin's approval for generalized lipodystrophy is the first step in defining and expanding its role to other metabolic diseases. Clinical trials are underway to delineate its efficacy in FPLD, human immunodeficiency virus/highly active anti-retroviral therapy-associated acquired lipodystrophy (HAL), and NAFLD. Additionally, there is growing data that support a therapeutic role in obesity. One of the barriers to development, however, is metreleptin's safety and immunogenicity. Further advances in biologic compatibility are required before metreleptin can be approved for additional indications. |
DOI: | 10.1517/14712598.2015.1052789 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I06 | 811 | Lipodystrophy | A connective tissue disease that is characterized by marked reduction, absence, and/or the redistribution of adipose tissue. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25690482, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25833179 | disease of anatomical entity/ musculoskeletal system disease/ connective tissue disease | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D226 | Metreleptin | Biological drug | DB09046 | LEPR agonist | CNS drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |