Liraglutide (Saxenda(R)) in Adolescents With Obesity After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Study Description:

This trial is an open-label Phase II non-randomized pilot study conducted at the NIH Clinical Center to investigate the efficacy of daily subcutaneous injection of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) analogue to promote reduction of body mass index (BMI) in adolescents who continue to have obesity (BMI (Bullet)30 or BMI >=95th percentile for age and sex) 1 year or more after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We hypothesize that administration of liraglutide will be associated with reduction in BMI in such adolescents.

Objectives:

Primary objective: To determine the effect size for the change in BMI of liraglutide 3.0 mg daily subcutaneously at 16 weeks in adolescents who have obesity after SG, in order to use the observed changes to determine the sample size of a subsequent randomized, controlled investigation.

Hypothesis:

The Primary Endpoint is estimation of required sample size for a later randomized controlled trial through calculation of effect size for change in body mass index (BMI) from baseline to 16 weeks of liraglutide. The hypothesis is: The data will be sufficient to calculate the effect size for change in BMI from baseline to 16 weeks for a 2-group experiment (placebo versus liraglutide).

Secondary objectives:

To study the effects of 16 weeks of liraglutide 3.0 mg subcutaneously on change in mean BMI and fat mass in adolescents who underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) >=1y prior to study initiation but still have obesity or have a recrudescence of obesity despite surgery. To compare the effects of liraglutide on BMI and fat mass in enrolled participants who had a poor initial response to SG (<20% BMI reduction at BMI nadir) vs. those with a typical post-SG weight loss (>=20% BMI reduction at BMI nadir).

Additional Objectives:

To examine the effects of daily subcutaneous liraglutide in enrolled participants on changes in body composition, metabolic syndrome markers, energy intake, glucose tolerance, gastrointestinal (GI)

hormone concentrations, appetite, free living physical activity, mood, suicidality, weight related quality of life, self-perception of body image, and secretome.

Endpoints:

Primary Endpoint: Estimation of required sample size for a later RCT through calculation of effect size for change in body mass index (BMI) from baseline to 16 weeks of liraglutide.

Key Secondary Endpoints:

Changes in BMI and fat mass after 16 weeks of liraglutide Comparison of changes in BMI and fat mass after 16 weeks of liraglutide in participants who had a poor initial response to SG (<20% BMI reduction at BMI nadir) vs. those with a typical post-S weight loss (>=20% BMI reduction at BMI nadir) Tolerability and safety of liraglutide 3.0 mg.

Additional (exploratory) Endpoints: Change from baseline to 16 weeks of liraglutide in:

• Proportion reducing BMI by at least 5% and 10%
• BMI standard deviation score for age and sex (BMIz)
• Body weight
• Percentage total body fat mass by DXA
• Appetite score using visual analog scale (VAS)
• Attention bias to highly palatable images
• Energy intake at buffet meal
• Free living physical activity by accelerometry
• Metabolic syndrome markers (waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, fasting plasma glucose level)
• Fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR index
• 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) insulin and glucose measurements
• Hemoglobin A1C
• Plasma GI hormones (GLP-1 and PYY) during OGTT
• Weight related quality of life (QoL) score
• Beck Depression Inventory total score
• Body-Esteem Scale Score for Adolescents and Adults
• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
• Secretome analysis
• Stool microbiome analysis

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

• Male or female, 12-20.999 years at screening visit
• 12 months or more status-post vertical sleeve gastrectomy with a maximum of 10 years after surgery
• BMI 30 kg/m2 or greater than or equal to 95th percentile for age and sex
• In good general health as evidenced by medical history
• Ability to take subcutaneous medication and be willing to adhere to the daily subcutaneous liraglutide regimen
• Ability to provide consent/assent before any trial-related activities as required per protocol
• Stated availability for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

• Current or recent (within 3 months of start of study drug initiation) use of weight loss medications such as phentermine, topiramate, lisdexamfetamine (prescribed specifically for weight loss; when prescribed for ADHD and dose is stable for last 3 months this medication will be allowed), orlistat, and naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl, or liraglutide
• Weight of more than 450 lbs. (because Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanning cannot be done in those exceeding this weight)
• Current use of insulin or sulfonylurea or other medication affecting insulin secretion or GLP1 clearance such as a DPPIV inhibitor
• Weight loss of more than 3% of body weight in the past 2 months
• Current pregnancy, desire to become pregnant within study period, current lactation or, if sexually active, not willing to use adequate contraceptive measures
• History of recurrent pancreatitis (greater than 2 episodes)
• History of chronic kidney disease (eGFR <60)
• History of gastroparesis
• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• History of prior metabolic and bariatric surgery other than vertical sleeve gastrectomy
• Current or prior use of any GLP-1 agonist medication during the 6 months before screening, including liraglutide.
• Known or suspected allergy to trial medication, excipients, or related products
• Treatment with another investigational drug or other experimental intervention within 3 months prior to enrollment in this trial
• Individuals who have current substance abuse or a DSM 5 Axis I psychiatric disorder or DSM Axis II Mental Retardation diagnosis that in the opinion of the investigators would impede competence, compliance, or participation in the study
• Suicidal ideation type 4 or 5, history of past suicide attempt, and suicidal behavior in the past month
• Presence of a major medical illness not listed above