Allurion Technologies has announced initial results on the combination of the Allurion Program with low-dose GLP-1 therapy to optimise muscle mass and GLP-1 adherence. Fifty-two patients treated with the Allurion Balloon were started on 0.25mg semaglutide after completing their first month of balloon therapy. The dose of semaglutide was increased to no greater than 1.0mg over the subsequent six months. After eight months of this combination approach, average total body weight loss was 20.3%, and lean body mass increased by 15% from 59.6% to 68.5%. All patients remained adherent to the GLP-1 medication through eight months.
“I believe combining the Allurion Balloon with low-dose GLP-1 therapy has several advantages,” said Dr Luigi Flagiello, bariatric surgeon at Clinica Ruesch who oversaw this case series. “These results indicate that a combination approach increases weight loss and that by using lower doses of GLP-1s, patients do not experience as many side effects - including muscle wasting - and have improved adherence. Patients may also be benefiting from two distinct physiological impacts: satiety induction from the balloon and reduced hunger from the GLP-1.”
Previous studies in patients undergoing GLP-1 therapy have demonstrated reductions in lean mass of approximately 40% as a proportion of total weight lost and have also shown that 30% of patients discontinue GLP-1 therapy within the first month and 58% discontinue before reaching a clinically meaningful health benefit, due in part to side effects, dose escalation required for continued weight loss and cost. Semaglutide dosing is typically increased to 2.4mg, over two times higher than the maximum dose of 1.0mg used in the combination approach.
“Muscle wasting and lack of adherence are significant challenges for GLP-1s, and this initial data suggests that a combination approach that leverages Allurion’s full program - which includes the balloon, our Virtual Care Suite, and our behavior change program - may be a compelling solution,” said Dr Shantanu Gaur, Founder and CEO of Allurion. “We plan on building upon this promising initial data and are optimistic that this could become a new standard of care for patients who want metabolically healthy weight loss.”
Additional data on the combination approach is being collected as part of this case series and is expected to be presented at upcoming medical meetings.
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