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Relamorelin improved symptoms in patients with chronic constipation

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PHILADELPHIA — Relamorelin, a pentapeptide ghrelin agonist, safely treated symptoms of chronic constipation, according to phase 2 study results presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.

“The results of this study demonstrate that relamorelin (RM-131, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals) is effective in significantly improving constipation symptoms and accelerating gastric and colonic transit in patients with chronic constipation,” study investigator Michael Camilleri, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a press release.

Camilleri and colleagues performed a double blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 100 mcg relamorelin daily for 2 weeks (n=25) compared with placebo (n=23) for treating patients with chronic constipation. All of the patients were women with a mean age of 40.6 years and a mean BMI of 25.7 kg/m², and reported symptoms in a daily bowel diary.

Relamorelin increased the number of spontaneous bowel movements (P=.002) and complete spontaneous bowel movements (P=.049) per week, accelerated time to bowel movement after first dose (P=.004), eased stool passage (P=.042), but did not improve stool consistency (P=.184), according to the release. Relamorelin also accelerated gastric emptying (P=.027), small bowel transit (P=.051) and colonic transit at 32 (P=.04) and 48 hours (P=.017). It was generally well tolerated, causing headaches and increased appetite.

“Relamorelin accelerates upper and lower GI transit, improves some key symptoms of bowel function, and is a potential novel treatment in patients with [chronic constipation],” the researchers concluded. 

For more information:

Acosta A. Abstract 44. Presented at: ACG Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 20-22, 2014; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: One of the researchers is a stockholder and patent holder with Gila Therapeutics, and three others are employees of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, which funded the study.