Semaglutide Emerges as Promising Treatment for Advanced Liver Disease, Study Finds
Semaglutide Shows Promise in Treating Serious Liver Disease, Landmark Study Finds
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, may soon play a key role in treating a serious form of liver disease, according to a groundbreaking international study.
In a 72-week phase 3 clinical trial involving 800 participants across 37 countries, researchers found that weekly doses of semaglutide significantly improved outcomes for patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive and potentially life-threatening form of fatty liver disease.
“This landmark study provides strong evidence that semaglutide not only improves liver health, but also addresses the underlying metabolic dysfunction driving MASH,” said Dr. Arun Sanyal, a professor of medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University and a lead investigator on the study.
Among those who received semaglutide, 62.9% showed resolution of MASH, compared to 34.3% in the placebo group. Additionally, liver fibrosis—scarring that occurs as the liver attempts to repair damage—was reduced in 36.8% of semaglutide patients versus 22.4% in the placebo group. Notably, 32.7% of patients receiving semaglutide showed improvement in both MASH and fibrosis, double the 16.1% observed in the placebo group.
Researchers acknowledged the role of placebo effects in trials, often attributed to participants adopting healthier behaviors or experiencing a psychological boost from participating in a medical study. Nonetheless, the data strongly support semaglutide’s therapeutic potential.
Semaglutide is part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a naturally occurring hormone involved in regulating blood sugar and appetite. Already proven effective for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes, semaglutide’s metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects may also be key to addressing the root causes of MASH.
“With only one approved treatment currently available for MASH, these findings are especially important,” said Sanyal. “Semaglutide could provide a much-needed new therapeutic option for patients suffering from liver fibrosis and its related metabolic complications.”
The trial is ongoing and will continue over five years to assess long-term outcomes. The full findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.