NCT06305182

Metreleptin in Anorexia Nervosa

Metreleptin in Anorexia Nervosa, Randomized Controlled Trial; Effects on Depressive Symptoms and Concomitant Changes in Brain Connectivity

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Gabriella Milos · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 17 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The treatment of anorexia nervosa often proves to be difficult. There are no drugs that work specifically for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Experimental administration of metreleptin (synthetically produced leptin) to patients with anorexia nervosa has produced positive results. This study tests the effect of metreleptin in comparison with placebo, which could potentially make treatment easier. The aim of the study is to investigate whether treatment with metreleptin can help to reduce the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and improve mood and weight.

Detailed description

Anorexia nervosa (AN) mainly affects young people, especially young women. AN is one of the most lethal psychiatric disorders. Treatment often proves to be very difficult, and AN course is frequently chronic. Specific pharmacological therapies for AN are lacking. Recent studies have shown that metabolic alterations play a great role in the etiology and pathogenesis of AN. An important metabolic alteration playing a role in the etiology and pathogenesis of AN is the hormone leptin. Patients with AN show hypoleptinemia. The role of hypoleptinemia in the neuroendocrine adaptation to starvation seems to induce emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of AN. From a theoretical point of view, pharmacotherapy augmenting leptin levels in patients with AN have a great therapeutic potential. Recently, positive effects with experimental administration of subcutaneous metreleptin in few young patients with severe AN have been observed. Importantly, no side effects have been observed. For all these reasons, the present study will investigate - with a double blind design - the therapeutic effect of metreleptin in patients with AN. Metreleptin will be administrated to 50 AN-inpatients: 25 patients will receive verum and 25 will receive placebo during 14 days. Primary objectives of this study are the amelioration of mood and weight. Secondary objectives are the investigation of functional brain connectivity, AN symptoms, as well as hematologic, blood chemistry and neuroendocrinological hormones.

Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Metreleptin	Metreleptin 3 mg is packaged in 3 ml Type I glass vials with chlorobutyl rubber stoppers, and aluminum seals with plastic flip-off caps. The vials are stored in refrigerator (2 - 8°C) and protected from light. Metreleptin for injection is a sterile, white, solid lyophilised cake. Prior to patient use, the content of a vial is reconstituted with 0.6 ml of water for injection for a final formulation of 10 millimolar (mM) glutamic acid, 2% glycine, 1% sucrose, 0.01% polysorbate 20, potential hydrogen (pH) 4.25. The resulting solution is administered by subcutaneous injection.
DRUG	Sodium chloride	The placebo will consist of sterile 0.9% saline (Sodium chloride), drawn up from a 10 ml i.v. vials. The placebo will be administered as an subcutaneous injection in an identical procedure as the metreleptin verum.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-05-31
• Primary completion: 2026-08-30
• Completion: 2026-08-30
• First posted: 2024-03-12
• Last updated: 2026-01-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Switzerland