Semaglutide as a promising treatment for hypothalamic obesity: a six-month case series on four females with craniopharyngioma.

Gjersdal E, Larsen LB, Ettrup KS, Vestergaard P, Nielsen EH, Karmisholt JS, Müller HL, Dal J

Pituitary1 Aug 2024Cited by 16 (Europe PMC)

PMID39088138PMCIDPMC11513775DOI10.1007/s11102-024-01426-8PepBankPUB-39088138

Summary

PurposePatients with hypothalamic pathology often develop hypothalamic obesity, causing severe metabolic alterations resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Treatments for hypothalamic obesity have not proven very effective, although the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide has been shown to have positive effects. We examined semaglutide's effect on weight loss in a sample of patients with hypothalamic obesity.MethodsFour female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months. Whole Body Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were performed, and blood samples drawn at baseline and after six months. Semaglutide dosages were increased monthly along with tracking of body weight and eating behavior (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, TFEQ-R18).ResultsBMI was reduced in all cases, with an average of 7.9 BMI (range: 6.7 to 10.1) corresponding to a weight loss of 17.0% (range: 11.3-22.4%) or 20.2 kg (range 16.2 kg to 23.4 kg). We found a comparable reduction in total fat mass (17.2%, p = 0.006) and lean mass (16.0%, p = 0.05), whereas bone mass was unchanged (2.6%, p = 0.12). All cases reported an increase in energy levels, improved mobility and physical activity. Unfavorable eating behaviors were reduced after 1 month of treatment (emotional eating - 41 points, p = 0.02, uncontrolled eating - 23 points, p = 0.11). HbA1c and total cholesterol were significantly reduced (p = 0.014 for both).ConclusionSemaglutide is a promising and safe treatment option for HO, that improves eating behavior, reduces weight, and improves metabolic markers.

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

Results from this study12

12 results from studies that gave the peptide. 12 results from people.

01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity after craniopharyngioma treatment, BMI fell in every case on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, BMI fell in every case during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI reduction
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
BMI reduction
−7.9 BMI
average
Source sentences
Summary
BMI was reduced in all cases, with an average of 7.9 BMI (range: 6.7 to 10.1) corresponding to a weight loss of 17.0% (range: 11.3-22.4%) or 20.2 kg (range 16.2 kg to 23.4 kg).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813801
02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity after craniopharyngioma treatment, semaglutide produced an average weight loss of 17.0% (20.2 kg) over six months.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, semaglutide was followed by an average weight loss of 17.0% over six months.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWeight loss
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Weight loss
17%
average
Weight loss
20.2 kg
average
Source sentences
Summary
BMI was reduced in all cases, with an average of 7.9 BMI (range: 6.7 to 10.1) corresponding to a weight loss of 17.0% (range: 11.3-22.4%) or 20.2 kg (range 16.2 kg to 23.4 kg).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813802
03HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, total fat mass fell by 17.2% on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, fat mass fell during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseTotal fat mass
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Total fat mass reduction
17.2%
semaglutide
Source sentences
Summary
We found a comparable reduction in total fat mass (17.2%, p = 0.006) and lean mass (16.0%, p = 0.05), whereas bone mass was unchanged (2.6%, p = 0.12).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813803
04HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, lean mass fell by 16.0% on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, lean mass also fell during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseLean mass
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Lean mass reduction
16%
semaglutide
Source sentences
Summary
We found a comparable reduction in total fat mass (17.2%, p = 0.006) and lean mass (16.0%, p = 0.05), whereas bone mass was unchanged (2.6%, p = 0.12).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813804
05HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, bone mass was unchanged on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, bone mass did not change during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeBone mass
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Bone and joint · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Bone mass change
2.6%
semaglutide
Source sentences
Summary
We found a comparable reduction in total fat mass (17.2%, p = 0.006) and lean mass (16.0%, p = 0.05), whereas bone mass was unchanged (2.6%, p = 0.12).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813805
06HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, all cases reported an increase in energy levels on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, all reported more energy during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseEnergy levels
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
All cases reported an increase in energy levels, improved mobility and physical activity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813806
07HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, all cases reported improved mobility on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, all reported better mobility during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseMobility
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
All cases reported an increase in energy levels, improved mobility and physical activity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813807
08HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, all cases reported improved physical activity on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, all reported more physical activity during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreasePhysical activity
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
All cases reported an increase in energy levels, improved mobility and physical activity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813808
09HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, emotional eating fell after 1 month of semaglutide treatment.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, emotional eating fell after one month of semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseEmotional eating score
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 1 monthAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Emotional eating change
−41 points
after 1 month
Source sentences
Summary
Unfavorable eating behaviors were reduced after 1 month of treatment (emotional eating - 41 points, p = 0.02, uncontrolled eating - 23 points, p = 0.11).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813809
10HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, the change in uncontrolled eating after 1 month of semaglutide was not statistically significant.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, uncontrolled eating did not change significantly after one month of semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeUncontrolled eating score
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 1 monthAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Uncontrolled eating change
−23 points
after 1 month
Source sentences
Summary
Unfavorable eating behaviors were reduced after 1 month of treatment (emotional eating - 41 points, p = 0.02, uncontrolled eating - 23 points, p = 0.11).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813810
11HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, HbA1c was significantly reduced on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, HbA1c fell during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
HbA1c and total cholesterol were significantly reduced (p = 0.014 for both).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813811
12HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In four women with hypothalamic obesity, total cholesterol was significantly reduced on semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn four women with hypothalamic obesity, total cholesterol fell during semaglutide treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseTotal cholesterol
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Lipids · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
HbA1c and total cholesterol were significantly reduced (p = 0.014 for both).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four female patients with hypothalamic obesity resulting from treatment of craniopharyngiomas were treated with semaglutide for six months.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3908813812

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

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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
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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