Using semaglutide to help manage weight after quitting smoking

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Limiting Post-Smoking Cessation Weight Gain in Adult Smokers With Overweight/Obesity

This study is testing if a weight loss medication called semaglutide can help people who have recently quit smoking manage their weight better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 197 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Austin, Texas and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06173778 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the effects of semaglutide 2.4mg on body weight and composition in individuals who have recently quit smoking. Participants will receive either the semaglutide treatment or a placebo, alongside nicotine replacement therapy and brief smoking cessation counseling. The study aims to understand how semaglutide influences appetite, satiety, and food intake mechanisms in the context of smoking cessation. The trial will include individuals with obesity or overweight who are motivated to quit smoking.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day and intend to quit smoking within a month.

Not a fit: Patients who are not overweight or obese, or those who do not smoke or have no intention to quit smoking, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could help individuals manage weight gain commonly associated with quitting smoking.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with semaglutide for weight management, but this specific application in post-smoking cessation is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ability to provide informed consent before any study-related activity, willing to comply with al study procedures, and be available for the duration of the study.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with the presence of at least one of the following weight-related comorbidities (treated or untreated): hypertension (unless meets medical exclusion criterion 7), cardiovascular disease (unless meets medical exclusion criterion 6), dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea
* Have been smoking ≥5 cigarettes per day for at least 1 year (prior to screening) and provide positive cotinine test.
* Desire to quit smoking (defined as "intend to quit within one month")
* Agree (if the participant is female and of child-bearing potential) to use effective contraceptive methods, unless the participant's male partner(s) is surgically sterile (underwent vasectomy).
* Women of child-bearing potential must provide negative urine pregnancy tests prior to randomization.
* Normal cognitive restraint (assessed as cognitive restraint score of \<4 from the Three Factor Eating Habits Questionnaire)
* Have a medical history and a brief physical examination demonstrating no clinically significant contraindications for study participation, in the judgment of the Study Physician and the Principal Investigator

Exclusion Criteria:

Medical Exclusions

* Personal or first-degree relative(s) history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
* Acute pancreatitis within the past 6 months prior to screening.
* History or presence of chronic pancreatitis.
* Type 1 or type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (previously diagnosed or indicated by HbA1C ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) as measured by central laboratory at screening).
* End stage renal disease (ESRD, previously diagnosed or indicated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value of eGFR \< 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 as measured by central laboratory at screening).
* Any of the following: myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or transient ischemic attack within the past 60 days prior to screening.
* Systolic blood pressure (SBP) \>159 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \>99 mmHg)
* History of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to screening. Basal and squamous cell skin cancer and any carcinoma in-situ are allowed.
* Severe gastrointestinal disease (i.e., severe gastroparesis).
* Known or suspected hypersensitivity to nicotine/nicotine patches; semaglutide, excipients, or related products.
* Women who are currently pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or lactating, or of childbearing potential and are not using medically accepted forms of contraception.
* Have any illness or condition which in the opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or the Study Physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study.

Psychiatric / Substance Use Exclusions

* Psychoactive substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine dependence) within the past 3 months prior to screening (existing diagnosis or as determined by the structured interview).
* Urine drug test positive, before randomization, for any of the following substances:

  1. benzodiazepines
  2. cocaine
  3. opioids
  4. amphetamines
  5. methamphetamine
  6. buprenorphine
  7. barbiturates
  8. 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)
  9. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
* Psychotic or bipolar disorder, or mood disorder with psychotic features; or eating disorder (existing clinical diagnosis or as determined by the structured interview)
* Moderate to high risk for suicidality (as determined by the structured interview).

Weight-Related Exclusions

* Previously undergone bariatric surgery
* Gained/lost ≥4.5 kg over the past 6 months (prior to screening)
* Currently enrolled in a behavioral weight management plan
* Uncontrolled thyroid disease (the criterion will be assessed at the Study Physician's and the Principal Investigator's discretion)

Smoking-Related Exclusions

-Currently using other combustible (e.g., cigars), other (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, snus) or alternative (e.g., electronic cigarettes) tobacco products

Medication-Related Exclusions

* Currently using oral or injectable glucose lowering medications
* Currently using pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation (NRT, varenicline, or bupropion)
* Currently or recently (last 90 days prior to screening) taking medication used for weight management (i.e., orlistat, lorcaserin,vi naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, phentermine, topiramate, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine)
* Currently or recently (within the past 14 days prior to screening) taking medication(s) known to impact appetite and/or weight (i.e., corticosteroids, excluding inhaled)

General Exclusions

* Current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another research study during this trial that could potentially affect participant safety and/or the study data/design as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.
* Not planning to live in the area for the duration of this trial.
* Surgery scheduled for the duration of the trial, except for minor surgical procedures, in opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or the Study Physician.
* Unable to communicate (read, write, and speak) fluently in English.

Where this trial is running

Austin, Texas and 1 other locations

• The University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Luba Yammine, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Study coordinator: Luba Yammine, PhD

Conditions Obesity; Overweight; Cigarette Smoking; smoking; quit smoking; cigarettes; tobacco; overweight