23andMe Links Two Genes to GLP-1 Response
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- 23andMe identified specific changes in two genes that appear to predict whether patients will lose substantial weight on GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity
- The same genetic variants appear to predict whether patients will experience nausea or vomiting, which the source calls some of the drugs' most common side effects
- Adam Auton, vice president at the 23andMe Research Institute and the paper's senior author, called the findings "proof of concept" that genetics plays a role in GLP-1 efficacy and side effects
- The study was published in Nature on Wednesday
- Outside researchers were impressed and intrigued by the findings, but some doubted whether the genetic results would change patient care
- Consumers using 23andMe's Total Health platform will have access to information about these genes and what they predict about GLP-1 use
Why it matters: 23andMe is giving consumers direct access to their GLP-1-response genetics through its Total Health platform, moving personalized obesity-drug information out of the clinic and into the direct-to-consumer market. Some outside researchers doubt the findings will meaningfully change clinical practice, but the company is betting patients will want the data regardless of physician adoption.
