Weight loss drugs have gained popularity in recent years, with medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy making waves on social media. However, these drugs do not work uniformly for everyone. Recognizing the diverse nature of obesity and its underlying causes, medical professionals are now turning to genetic testing to determine the most effective weight loss drug for individual patients. This tailored approach, similar to precision medicine in cancer treatment, aims to provide clearer guidance and save patients time, money, and frustration.
Identifying Genetic Contributors to Obesity:
Dr. Andres Acosta, assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, has devoted the past decade to understanding the genetic factors driving obesity. He has categorized obesity into four phenotypes based on specific genetic markers:
- Hungry Brain: individuals who never feel full.
- Hungry Gut: those who quickly become hungry after eating.
- Emotional Hungry: individuals who eat for emotional reasons rather than physiological hunger.
- Slow Burn: individuals with a metabolism that struggles to burn calories efficiently.
Developing the Genetic Test:
Building on his research, Dr. Acosta co-founded Phenomix in 2021 and introduced a saliva-based genetic test called MyPhenome. This test analyzes a set of genes related to obesity and can differentiate between the four obesity phenotypes. The test was first launched for Hungry Gut, followed by the recent launch for Hungry Brain. By identifying the primary contributor to an individual’s obesity, the test helps doctors and patients make more informed decisions about weight loss medications, such as Wegovy, Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Mounjaro.
Enhancing Obesity Care:
While specialists in obesity and diabetes have been applying personalized approaches to weight loss for years, many healthcare professionals lack expertise in this field. The availability of genetic tests like MyPhenome can empower primary care physicians and other medical professionals to differentiate between patients who are likely to respond to newer weight loss drugs and those who may not. This personalized approach can save time, improve patient outcomes, and optimize healthcare resources.
Optimizing Weight Loss Treatment:
Until now, weight loss treatments have often involved trial and error, leading to prolonged visits and frustration for patients. MyPhenome aims to change this paradigm by providing doctors with valuable information to navigate patients’ weight management more effectively. For example, patients who test positive for Hungry Gut may benefit from GLP-1-based drugs like Wegovy or Rybelsus, while those positive for Hungry Brain may be prescribed medications targeting the brain’s dopaminergic system.
Cost and Affordability:
While insurance coverage for MyPhenome is currently limited, the cost of $349 may be a worthwhile investment for patients, potentially saving them from spending money on less effective medications. For those unable to afford expensive drugs, Phenomix provides tailored diet and exercise regimens mimicking the effects of medications, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications in weight loss.
Expanding Access and Education:
Phenomix aims to make MyPhenome available to a wider range of medical professionals. Currently targeted at obesity specialists, the company recognizes the crucial role of primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in managing obesity. Equipping healthcare providers with the necessary tools for selecting appropriate anti-obesity therapies can help address the obesity epidemic and promote long-term weight control.
Availability of the Test
According to Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix, approximately 315 doctors have reached out to the company expressing interest in ordering the test, and 39 of them have already placed their orders. Phenomix has already shipped around 200 test kits to these healthcare professionals.
Initially, the company is focusing on providing the test to obesity specialists, as they are likely to have the easiest time incorporating it into their practice. However, the ultimate goal is to assist non-specialists, including family doctors and internists, in efficiently managing obesity in their patients.
Dr. Deborah Horn from UTHealth Houston emphasizes that there will never be enough specialists to effectively treat all patients with diabetes, let alone the significant percentage of Americans who are overweight or obese. She believes that primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants play a crucial role in treating chronic diseases. The test can aid these healthcare providers in quickly categorizing patients and enhancing their knowledge about obesity. By equipping more medical professionals with the necessary tools to select appropriate anti-obesity therapies, we can potentially reverse the obesity trend and help individuals achieve sustainable, long-term weight control.
The advent of personalized genetic testing for obesity holds great promise in revolutionizing weight loss drug selection. By identifying an individual’s genetic contributors to obesity, doctors can make more informed decisions about the most suitable treatment options. As the field of obesity medicine embraces personalized approaches, patients can look forward to more efficient and effective weight loss journeys, supported by evidence-based treatments and comprehensive medical