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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
A common drug shows promise for patients with liver disease
A recent Chinese clinical trial published in The BMJ reveals that dapagliflozin, a type 2 diabetes drug, shows promise in treating severe liver conditions like MASH and liver fibrosis. The study, involving 154 participants, demonstrated significant improvements in MASH and fibrosis among those receiving dapagliflozin compared to the placebo group, suggesting a potential new treatment avenue. Liver disease accounts for two million deaths annually. This is 4% of all deaths (1 out of every 25 deaths worldwide), as per the data from 2023. Liver disease is a growing global health concern. A new study suggests that a widely used diabetes medication may offer hope for patients suffering from progressive liver disease. A recent clinical trial conducted in China and published in The BMJ suggests that the type 2 diabetes drug dapagliflozin can help patients with severe liver conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis, which have limited treatment options. What does the diabetes drug do (Pic courtesy: iStock) Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, which is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been shown to improve progressive liver disease. The Chinese researchers found that the drug improved metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation and liver fibrosis (a buildup of scar tissue). MASH affects more than 5% of adults, and it is also common (30%) in people with diabetes or obesity. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This can progress to cirrhosis in up to 25% of individuals. Though previous studies have suggested that SGLT-2 inhibitors can improve liver fat content, liver enzymes, and liver stiffness, no trial has been carried out in patients with MASH. The study To understand the effects of dapagliflozin in patients with MASH, the researchers conducted a study. The 48-week study had 154 participants, who were diagnosed with MASH following liver biopsies at six Chinese medical centers from November 2018 to March 2023. Participants had an average age of 35, and 85% were men. Nearly half (45%0 had type 2 diabetes, and most had evidence of liver fibrosis at various stages (33% stage 1, 45% stage 2, 19% stage 3). Following an initial screening biopsy, the participants were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of dapagliflozin or a matching placebo once daily for 48 weeks. They attended health education sessions twice a year. The researchers also recorded body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, liver enzymes, physical activity, diet, insulin, and lipids of the participants throughout the trial. MASH improvement was defined as a decrease of at least 2 points in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) or a NAS of 3 points or less. By the end of the study, which is after 48 weeks, the researchers observed that 53% (41 of 78) participants in the dapagliflozin group showed improvement in MASH without worsening of fibrosis (defined as no increase in fibrosis stage) compared with 30% (23 of 76) in the placebo group. 23% (18 of 78) participants in the dapagliflozin group showed resolution of MASH without worsening of fibrosis, compared with 8% (6 of 76) in the placebo group. Trump Health Scare: 'Cognitive Decline' Spotted? Political Adviser's BIG Warning Amid Dementia Claim They also saw improvement in fibrosis without worsening of MASH in 45% (35 of 78) participants in the dapagliflozin group compared with 20% (15 of 76) in the placebo group. 1% (1 of 78) in the dapagliflozin group and 3% (2 of 76) in the placebo group discontinued the treatment because of adverse events. What are the experts saying Fatty liver 'Our findings indicate that dapagliflozin may affect key aspects of MASH by improving both steatohepatitis and fibrosis,' they said. They added that large-scale and long-term trials are needed to further confirm these effects. The trial was conducted in a Chinese population, which limits its broader generalisability. They also noted that with the emergence of more drugs, therapeutic decisions will likely become increasingly tailored to individual patient profiles, they write. 'Ideally, such treatments should provide cardiovascular benefit, have an established safety profile, and be accessible to broad and diverse patient populations,' they concluded. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
LG Chem debuts diabetes treatment Zemidapa in Thailand
LG Chem, Korea's leading chemical company, announced Thursday that it has begun the global expansion of its new diabetes combination drug Zemidapa, marking its first export milestone with a launch in Thailand. To kick off the launch, the company hosted the 'Zemi-Connect Global' symposium in Bangkok, attended by over 120 endocrinologists from Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. The event was held alongside the International Diabetes Federation 2025 Congress, where LG Chem was a main sponsor. Zemidapa is a combination therapy that brings together Zemiglo — Korea's first domestically developed DPP-4 inhibitor — and the SGLT-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin. LG Chem prioritized the Thai market due to its direct sales infrastructure and the rapid growth of the local combination drug segment. According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA MIDAS, the total market for the two inhibitors in Thailand is estimated at approximately 250 billion won ($178.7 million), with the combination drug segment growing at an average annual rate of 36 percent over the past three years. The company plans to leverage existing sales networks for Zemiglo and Zemimet, which together hold a 13 percent share of Thailand's DPP-4 segment, to generate business synergy and broaden prescription options. It also aims to enhance academic marketing and expand its local customer network. 'The demand for effective treatments for young-onset diabetes is growing in Thailand,' said Hwang In-cheol, head of LG Chem's primary care business division. 'We expect Zemidapa to meet this need and will expand into ASEAN and Latin American markets including the Philippines, Mexico and Brazil.'
