Relamorelin effective, safe for anorexia nervosa

Phase 2 proof-of-concept data presented at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting indicated efficacy of relamorelin, a ghrelin agonist from Motus, for anorexia nervosa.

To assess the effect of relamorelin on gastric emptying time and weight, and its safety and tolerability, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among 22 females with anorexia nervosa. Participants received 100 µg of relamorelin or placebo once daily for 4 weeks.

Gastric emptying time was significantly shorter among participants who received relamorelin vs. those who received placebo (P = .03).

Participants who received relamorelin exhibited greater weight gain compared with placebo, gaining 0.86 + 0.4 kg vs. 0.04 + 0.28 kg (P = .12).

Relamorelin was generally well-tolerated, according to researchers. Two study participants did not complete the study due to feelings of increased hunger.

“The results of this initial clinical trial of relamorelin in anorexia are very promising,” study researcher Anne Klibanski, MD, chief of the neuroendocrine unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in a press release. “These results suggest that relamorelin may have the potential to treat anorexia in two ways: by stimulating hunger directly, and also by normalizing gastric emptying in patients with anorexia. We recommend further clinical studies of relamorelin to determine long-term efficacy and safety for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.”

Reference:

Fazeli P, et al. Short-term treatment with a ghrelin agonist significantly improves gastric emptying in anorexia nervosa. Presented at: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting; April 1-4, 2016; Boston.