Title: Genetic Tests Match Obesity Patients to Personalized Weight Loss Treatments Based on DNA
By Jeanette Settembre | July 12, 2023 | 8:00am
Four new genetic tests have been developed to determine the underlying causes of hunger in patients with obesity and match them to specific weight loss drugs and treatments based on their DNA. These tests aim to provide personalized solutions for individuals struggling with weight loss, offering hope for more effective and targeted treatments.
Christy Barbaran, a 43-year-old mother of three from Crofton, Maryland, experienced complications after taking the weight loss medication Mounjaro. Determined to find a medicine that worked for her, Barbaran decided to take a new type of genetic test that would help identify the root cause of her weight gain. The test, offered by California-based company Phenomix, uses a DNA saliva swab to determine a patient’s genetic profile and matches them to appropriate weight loss treatments and medications.
Phenomix’s genetic tests categorize the causes of weight gain into four categories: Hungry Brain, Hungry Gut, Emotional Hunger, and Slow Burn. While tests for Hungry Brain and Hungry Gut are already available, tests for Emotional Hunger and Slow Burn will be released later this year and in early 2024.
According to Dr. Andres Acosta, an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic and partner of Phenomix, phenotyping through genetic tests is the most effective way to treat patients and identify the root cause of obesity. By using biomarkers such as Body Mass Index, weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, and others, the tests help determine the genetic factors contributing to obesity and develop tailored treatment plans, including lifestyle changes, diet modifications, and medication.
Treatment options for patients identified as having Hungry Brain or Hungry Gut vary. For individuals with a positive Hungry Brain test, treatment may involve an endoscope sleeve gastroplasty or calorie-restricted diets and appetite suppressant medications like phentermine-topiramate. Patients identified as having Hungry Gut may benefit from GLP-1 based weight loss drugs such as Ozempic. Emotional Hunger and Slow Burn tests offer additional treatment plans specific to those genetic profiles.
Barbaran, who tested positive for the Hungry Brain test, followed a diet of nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods and was recommended the drug Qsymia, which helps suppress appetite when used in conjunction with diet and exercise. She has already seen success with her weight loss journey and lost 15 pounds in just two months.
Since the launch of Phenomix’s genetic tests, 315 physicians and physician groups have expressed interest in ordering the tests, with 39 orders already placed. By providing tailored treatment plans based on an individual’s genetic profile, these tests offer a more efficient and targeted approach to combating obesity, helping patients achieve their weight loss goals faster and potentially reducing the associated health risks.
As the understanding of genetics and its impact on obesity continues to grow, these genetic tests provide a promising avenue for personalized weight loss treatments. By addressing the underlying genetic factors contributing to weight gain, patients like Barbaran can receive the targeted care they need for lasting and successful weight loss.