Theratechnologies’ tesamorelin may improve metabolic syndrome in HIV patients

Theratechnologies presented data suggesting that tesamorelin may improve metabolic profiles in people with HIV by reducing excess visceral abdominal fat – EVAF -. In a presentation at the 30th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, researchers reported an association between EVAF reduction and positive change in metabolic syndrome classification in PWHIV treated with tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue. Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by central adiposity, high levels of fasting blood glucose, high blood levels of triglycerides, low blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension. Following 26 weeks of tesamorelin treatment, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased in responders, resulting in a significantly lower prevalence compared to non-responders – 30.8% vs. 48.5% -. Differences in metabolic syndrome status were driven predominantly by resolution of triglycerides and waist circumference decrease. Results from an Investigator Sponsored Trial supported by Theratechnologies examining the relationship between visceral adiposity and NAFLD were also presented at CROI. The findings show that NAFLD diagnosed by controlled attenuation parameter is associated with visceral abdominal fat in PWHIV independently of anthropometric measures of obesity.