Efficacy and safety of incretin co-agonists: Transformative advances in cardiometabolic healthcare.
This evidence review examines the evolving landscape of incretin-based pharmacotherapy, focusing on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and newer multi-receptor co-agonists for cardiometabolic disease management. The paper surveys established GLP-1RAs — including liraglutide, dulaglutide, albiglutide, exenatide, and semaglutide — noting their reported benefits on glycated hemoglobin, body weight, lipid profiles, liver fat, and cardiovascular outcomes (reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, or MACE). It also covers emerging agents: dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide (approved for diabetes and obesity), dual GLP-1/glucagon co-agonists (notable for synergistic weight loss), and triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonists such as retatrutide and efocipegtrutide, described as achieving the highest pharmacotherapy-associated weight loss observed to date. Additional novel classes reviewed include GLP-1/amylin agonists (CagriSema, Amycretin), non-semaglutide oral GLP-1 agents, and peptide YY/GLP-1 dual agonists. As a narrative review, the paper does not present original trial data, and its conclusions are based on synthesized existing literature, which may introduce selection bias. The authors anticipate that metabolic benefits will translate into cardiometabolic outcomes, though direct evidence for many newer agents remains limited.
Why this grade: This is a narrative evidence review synthesizing existing literature on incretin co-agonists; it generates no original human trial data and is subject to the inherent limitations of narrative review methodology, including potential selection bias.
The ground-breaking development of the incretin agonists by manipulation of the incretin system, including the gut hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), as well as the pancreatic hormone glucagon, has led to the emergence of promising pharmacotherapy for metabolic health. The GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), namely liraglutide, dulaglutide, albiglutide, exenatide, and semaglutide, have been found to have beneficial effects on glycated hemoglobin, weight, lipid profile, and liver fat and thereby improving cardiometabolic health. Other drugs of the same group in development include Orforglipron, which has a high weight loss efficacy (-15% weight reduction). Long-acting GLP-1RAs in trials are Ecnoglutide, Efpeglenatide, TG103, and Visepegenatide. Many of these have cardiovascular benefits in terms of reduction in MACE (Non-fatal MI, Non-fatal stroke, and mortality). Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1RA, the first drug of the group to be approved for diabetes and obesity with remarkably lower gastrointestinal side effects compared to GLP-1 monoagonists. The dual GLP-1/glucagon co-agonists cause tremendous weight loss due to the synergistic action. Most drugs in this class are long-acting and developed for once-weekly administration. The revolutionary triple agonists at the GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon receptors have demonstrated the highest achievable weight loss with pharmacotherapy. Retatrutide and Efocipegtrutide belong to this novel group of drugs. The newer drugs in the broad category of incretin co-agonists include the GLP-1/amylin receptor agonist like CagriSema and Amycretin, oral GLP-1 agonists other than semaglutide, and the peptide YY/GLP-1 receptor dual agonists. The profound biochemical and weight loss outcomes associated with incretin co-/poly-agonists are expected to translate into outstanding cardiometabolic benefits, the theme of this evidence review.
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