We have more news on the drug companies that continually endeavour to find an effective weight loss pill to beat the international problem of obesity. Dr Peter Guzzo of Albany Molecular Research Institute spoke at The 6th Obesity and Diabetes Drug Development Summit about the commencement of a phase I human trial of ALB-127158, an MCH1 receptor antagonist that may prove to be safer than other experimental drugs in the same classification and bring about weight loss far in excess of anything that we have seen from any other weight management medication.
The new drug affects receptors for MCH (Melanin Concentrating Hormone), which is a naturally occurring peptide that is found in mammals and has an effect on appetite and body weight regulation. It has long been established that the antagonism of the MCH1 receptor in the central nervous system has the effect of reducing appetite and body weight but it has never been achieved without causing major side effects.
Results of preclinical testing of this novel MCH1 receptor antagonist showed a weight loss of 18% after 28 days in obese mice. This weight loss is massive and we would be astonished if this could be repeated safely in humans. The weight loss was observed to be caused entirely by a reduction of food consumption, with an associated preference for the reduction of fat reserves. The weight loss was also observed to be accompanied by an improvement in glucose tolerance.
As far as we are aware, this is the first MCH receptor antagonist deemed safe enough to advance to Phase 1 human trials so this is very exciting indeed. Cardiovascular safety has been established in mice but this may not translate to humans. Also, as we are dealing with receptors expressed primarily in the hypothalamus of the brain, the risk of some form of psychiatric side effects must be quite high but that is not to say that they will be serious enough to deem the drug unsafe – especially if large scale weight loss is repeated in human trials. That being said, even if this drug does make it all the way, it will be years before it will be available to doctors to prescribe.