For the treatment of fatty liver there are a series of methods (diet, exercises) along with the correction of metabolic factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose). However, there is still no drug with a specific indication for the disease.
In this sense, in 2022 we discussed in this blog a study in which 105 patients with fatty liver disease were treated with a new drug (resmetirom) with very promising results pending confirmation in a trial with more patients.
In February 2024, a multicenter study including 1,050 patients with fatty liver has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Patients were divided into three treatment groups that received 80 mg or 100 mg of resmetirom or placebo. A liver biopsy was performed before the start of the study and another at week 52.
Results of treatment with Resmetirom
It was found that the inflammation and destruction of liver cells disappeared in 25.9% (80 mg), 29.9% (100 mg) and 9.7% (placebo) of the patients. Regarding fibrosis, it decreased in 24.2% of patients treated with 80 mg, in 25.0% of those treated with 100 mg, and in 14.2% of the placebo group. On the other hand, LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) decreased in 13.6% (80mg), 16.3% (100mg) and 0% (placebo) of cases.
In relation to side effects, the most common side effects in patients treated with resmetirom were diarrhea and nausea, which appeared at the beginning of treatment and lasted 15 to 20 days, although no weight loss occurred.
In summary, resmetirom is an effective drug in the treatment of fatty liver with good tolerance. It also induces a decrease in LDL cholesterol, which can have favorable effects in avoiding heart problems. Given that resmetirom does not produce weight loss, at the FEHV we consider that a study should be done combining resmetirom with the available slimming drugs (semaglutide, liraglutide, etc.) trying to improve therapeutic efficacy.
