Therapies based on GLP-1 receptor agonists: significance, challenges, and opportunities

2026/02/25 by Angela Jackson-Morris, Bruno Halpern, Giulia Segafredo +8 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Neuroscience · #Diabetes Treatment and Management #Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer #Regulation of Appetite and Obesity

paper · doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(26)00009-4

openalex publication_date 2026/02/25 · openalex created_date 2026/02/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

For decades, escalating global obesity prevalence and evidence of its major contribution to the most common causes of death and ill health was, at best, confined to discussions of prevention, and, at worst, stigmatised and ignored in policy, practice, and the media. However, the landscape has evolved rapidly with the use of therapies based on GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity. Landmark developments in 2025 include the WHO global guideline recommending two GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity care,1 and the inclusion of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the WHO Essential Medicines List to treat people living with obesity and diabetes and either cardiovascular or kidney disease.

Discussions

• Ahead of #WorldObesityDay, partners publish an open-access Comment in @thelancet.com Global Health on #GLP-1 #receptor agonists. Prevention and treatment are co-dependent, and stigma remains a major [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]

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