Evaluating potential predictors of weight loss response to liraglutide in adolescents with obesity: A post hoc analysis of the randomized, placebo-controlled SCALE Teens trial.

Bensignor MO, Bramante CT, Bomberg EM, Fox CK, Hale PM, Kelly AS, Mamadi R, Prabhu N, Harder-Lauridsen NM, Gross AC

Pediatric obesity1 Jun 2023Cited by 22 (Europe PMC)

PMID37264767PMCIDPMC10926323DOI10.1111/ijpo.13061PepBankPUB-37264767

Summary

BackgroundAs childhood obesity prevalence increases, determining which patients respond to anti-obesity medications would strengthen personalized approaches to obesity treatment. In the SCALE Teens trial among pubertal adolescents with obesity (NCT02918279), liraglutide 3.0 mg (or maximum tolerated dose) significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score on average versus placebo. That said, liraglutide effects on BMI reduction varied greatly among adolescents, similar to adults.ObjectivesTo identify post hoc characteristics predictive of achieving ≥5% and ≥10% BMI reductions at 56 weeks with liraglutide versus placebo in adolescents from the SCALE Teens trial.MethodsLogistic regression analysis was performed in 251 adolescents treated with liraglutide (n = 125) or placebo (n = 126) for 56 weeks. Baseline characteristics (selected a priori) included sex, race, ethnicity, age, Tanner (pubertal) stage, glycemic status (hyperglycemia [type 2 diabetes/prediabetes] vs. normoglycemia), obesity category (Class II/III vs. I), severity of depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and weight variability (weight fluctuations over time). The effects of early responder status (≥4% BMI reduction at week 16) on week 56 response were assessed using descriptive statistics.ResultsBaseline characteristics did not affect achievement of ≥5% and ≥10% BMI reductions at week 56 in adolescents treated with liraglutide. Further, there was no association between weight variability and BMI reduction. Early liraglutide responders appeared to have greater BMI and body weight reductions at week 56 compared with early non-responders.ConclusionsThis secondary analysis suggests that adolescents with obesity may experience significant BMI reductions after 56 weeks of liraglutide treatment, regardless of their sex, race, ethnicity, age, pubertal stage, glycemic status, obesity category, severity of depression symptoms, or weight variability. Early response may predict greater week 56 response.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adolescents with obesity treated with liraglutide, baseline characteristics did not affect achievement of 5% or more and 10% or more BMI reductions at week 56.
In plain wordsIn adolescents with obesity on liraglutide, starting characteristics did not change the chance of reaching 5% or 10% BMI reduction at week 56.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant change5% or more and 10% or more BMI reduction at week 56, by baseline characteristics
Study
n = 125
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
3.0 mg (or maximum tolerated dose) · 56 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Baseline characteristics did not affect achievement of ≥5% and ≥10% BMI reductions at week 56 in adolescents treated with liraglutide.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Logistic regression analysis was performed in 251 adolescents treated with liraglutide (n = 125) or placebo (n = 126) for 56 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3726476701
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adolescents with obesity treated with liraglutide, there was no association between weight variability and BMI reduction.
In plain wordsIn adolescents with obesity on liraglutide, weight fluctuations before treatment were not linked to BMI reduction.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeWeight variability and BMI reduction
Study
n = 125
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
3.0 mg (or maximum tolerated dose) · 56 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Further, there was no association between weight variability and BMI reduction.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Logistic regression analysis was performed in 251 adolescents treated with liraglutide (n = 125) or placebo (n = 126) for 56 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3726476702
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adolescents with obesity treated with liraglutide, early responders appeared to have greater BMI and body weight reductions at week 56 than early non-responders.
In plain wordsIn adolescents with obesity on liraglutide, those who responded early lost more BMI and weight by week 56 than early non-responders.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI and body weight reduction at week 56 by early responder status
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Early non-responders
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
3.0 mg (or maximum tolerated dose) · 56 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Early liraglutide responders appeared to have greater BMI and body weight reductions at week 56 compared with early non-responders.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Logistic regression analysis was performed in 251 adolescents treated with liraglutide (n = 125) or placebo (n = 126) for 56 weeks.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3726476703

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · 1 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 3Results postedNCT02918279

Effect of Liraglutide for Weight Management in Pubertal Adolescent Subjects With Obesity

Novo Nordisk A/Sn = 25129 Sept 2016 to 8 Aug 2019

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorder · Obesity

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 27 Apr 2020

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.