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Feasibility of Semaglutide in Advanced Lung Disease

Feasibility of Semaglutide Therapy for Weight Loss in Advanced Lung Disease: A Pilot Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05746039
Enrollment
8
Registered
2023-02-27
Start date
2024-01-29
Completion date
2025-12-28
Last updated
2025-03-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obesity, Interstitial Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary, Pulmonary Hypertension

Keywords

semaglutide

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether semaglutide, an FDA-approved treatment for diabetes and obesity, is feasible and tolerable in patients with advanced lung disease. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. Are patients with advanced lung disease able to tolerate semaglutide therapy? 2. Are we able to titrate semaglutide therapy to a target weight? Participants will be asked to perform pulmonary function, physical function and body composition testing, as well as a blood draw before and after 12-weeks of semaglutide therapy. While on therapy, subjects will be surveyed regarding any adverse events or side effects.

Detailed description

This is a small open-label pilot clinical trial of semaglutide in adults (age 18 or older, n=8) with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2), and chronic advanced lung disease (interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pulmonary hypertension requiring supplemental oxygen on exertion). This study will evaluate medication adherence and side effects to determine semaglutide tolerability. Markers of physical function and pulmonary function will be evaluated before therapy and after 12 weeks of therapy to determine the effect of semaglutide on function. Measures of fat and muscle, will be performed before therapy and after 12 weeks of therapy to evaluate how semaglutide alters body composition in this population. Study participants will be monitored for 12 weeks while receiving semaglutide therapy.

Interventions

Once weekly subcutaneous injection

Sponsors

University of Pennsylvania
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of one of the following lung diseases: interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pulmonary hypertension * Age \> 18 * BMI \> 30 kg/m2 * Requires supplemental oxygen on exertion * Stable treatment regimen X 90 days * Use of disease-modifying therapy

Exclusion criteria

* Diabetes * Pregnant or Breastfeeding * Recent weight loss * Recent or chronic GI complaints * History of gastroparesis * History of scleroderma * Hospitalized at time of evaluation * Use of weight loss medication in last 90 days * Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia (type 2) * Uncontrolled thyroid disease * History of acute/chronic pancreatitis * Prior suicide attempt * Suicidal ideation in last 90 days * Presence of a pacemaker or defibrillator

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Tolerability12 weeksThe proportion of participants who either reach a target semaglutide dose of 1.0 mg/week or who achieve target weight.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Body compositionBaseline to 12 weeksChange in percent body fat
Lung functionBaseline to 12 weeksChange in forced vital capacity
Physical functionBaseline to 12 weeksChange in frailty as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery
Markers of adiposity and insulin resistanceBaseline to 12 weeksChange in c-reactive protein

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactMichaela R Anderson, MD
michaela.anderson@pennmedicine.upenn.edu215-662-3202

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026