ACTG SLIM LIVER Results in Annals of Internal Medicine

LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2024-- ACTG, a global network conducting clinical trials on HIV and other infectious diseases, has announced significant findings from the SLIM LIVER study (A5371). The results, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, reveal that semaglutide is highly effective in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in individuals living with HIV. Previously labeled as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, MASLD is common among HIV patients and can worsen liver damage and overall organ dysfunction.

The SLIM LIVER study is the first to investigate semaglutide as a treatment for MASLD in HIV patients. Semaglutide, known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has shown positive effects on cardiometabolic health in the general population by promoting weight loss and reducing systemic inflammation. The phase 2b SLIM LIVER study was a single-arm, pilot trial that involved adults who were living with HIV, had viral suppression, and presented with central adiposity, insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, and steatotic liver disease. Participants received a 24-week regimen of semaglutide, with the dose gradually increased to 1 mg per week by the fourth week.

Throughout the study, participants exhibited marked improvements in several health parameters. Notable reductions were observed in weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, BMI, hemoglobin A1C levels, ALT (a liver enzyme indicative of liver damage), and triglyceride concentrations. These results were initially presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) earlier this year. Study author Jordan Lake remarked on the efficacy of the treatment, noting that even the low dose of 1 mg weekly led to significant weight loss, which correlated closely with improvements in MASLD. Lake emphasized the need for further research to explore semaglutide's broader effects on systemic inflammation and metabolism, as well as its potential specific risks and benefits for people with HIV.

ACTG, established in 1987, is the largest and longest-running clinical trials network focusing on HIV and other infectious diseases. Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and other National Institutes of Health (NIH) bodies, ACTG aims to enhance HIV management, develop a cure, and innovate treatments for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and emerging infectious diseases. The network includes thousands of researchers, staff, and community members dedicated to advancing scientific research that positively impacts the lives of people with infectious diseases. ACTG operates across 65 locations on four continents, striving to make meaningful scientific contributions.

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