New weight-loss drug wipes out chronic knee pain in some patients, researchers say

An experimental weight-loss drug significantly reduced chronic knee pain and improved mobility in people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, according to two clinical trials led by researchers at Northwestern University.The trials, which were funded by Eli Lilly and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated retatrutide, a once-weekly injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly and Co.Retatrutide, which is not yet FDA-approved, mimics three hormones involved in appetite and metabolism — GLP-1, GIP and glucagon — and has produced substantial weight loss in clinical trials.WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS MAY FIGHT 7 SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS BEFORE THE POUNDS EVEN COME OFFThe late-stage trials enrolled more than 1,000 adults who were overweight or obese, did not have diabetes, and experienced painful knee osteoarthritis.After 68 weeks in one trial and 80 weeks in the other, participants receiving the highest dose of retatrutide lost about a quarter of their body weight on average.A pooled analysis found that roughly two-thirds of those treated with the drug achieved at least a 50% drop in knee pain, compared with 38% of those receiving a placebo.Painful knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 15 million Americans.Beyond pain relief and functional gains, participants experienced reductions in blood pressure, lower blood lipid levels and decreased systemic inflammation, according to the researchers.Gastrointestinal problems were the most common side effects, and serious adverse events were more common among participants receiving retatrutide than among those receiving placebo.KNEE TREATMENT WITHOUT SURGERY OFFERS LASTING PAIN RELIEF FOR 80% OF ARTHRITIS PATIENTS, STUDY FINDSDr.

Thomas J.Schnitzer, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said the findings offer therapeutic potential for specific groups of patients."For people who are obese, not diabetic, have radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthriti...