News

A promising injectable medication, tesamorelin, is showing significant potential in addressing two major health concerns for individuals living with HIV: excess visceral abdominal fat and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent developments highlight its efficacy in reducing these conditions, offering a new avenue for improved health outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Tesamorelin, available as Egrifta WR™, is approved for reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy.
• Newer formulations offer enhanced convenience for patients.
• Studies indicate tesamorelin can reduce liver fat and slow the progression of liver fibrosis in people with HIV and NAFLD.

A More Convenient Formulation

Theratechnologies has announced the availability of Egrifta WR™, a new, more concentrated formulation of tesamorelin. This updated version is designed to simplify treatment for patients by requiring weekly reconstitution instead of daily, and it also reduces the daily injection volume. Egrifta WR™ gradually replaces the previous formulation, Egrifta SV®, with a patient support program in place to facilitate the transition. This improved formulation aims to enhance the patient experience while continuing to manage excess visceral abdominal fat, a significant health concern for those living with HIV.

Tackling Liver Disease

Beyond its impact on abdominal fat, tesamorelin has demonstrated a remarkable ability to combat liver disease in people with HIV. Research published in The Lancet HIV indicates that tesamorelin can significantly reduce liver fat content and slow the progression of liver fibrosis in individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is an increasingly prevalent condition among people living with HIV, often leading to more severe liver issues. Studies have shown that tesamorelin can decrease hepatic fat fraction and reduce the likelihood of fibrosis progression, offering a crucial therapeutic option for this vulnerable population.

How Tesamorelin Works

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF). It works by stimulating the pituitary gland to release natural growth hormone. In individuals with HIV, growth hormone secretion can be suppressed, contributing to central fat accumulation and lipodystrophy. By boosting growth hormone levels, tesamorelin helps to break down fats (lipolysis) and reduce visceral adipose tissue. This mechanism not only addresses abdominal fat but also appears to positively influence liver fat accumulation and inflammation associated with NAFLD.

Sources

• Egrifta WR Now Available for HIV-Related Lipodystrophy, Endocrinology Advisor.
• Theratechnologies Announces Availability of EGRIFTA WR™, GlobeNewswire.
• Tesamorelin reduces liver fat and fibrosis progression in people with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver
  disease, Aidsmap.
• Drug reverses signs of liver disease in people living with HIV, National Institutes of Health (.gov).