Effects of Semaglutide on Nicotine Intake

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Tobacco Use Disorder

Nicotine Addiction

Treatments

Drug: Sham/placebo

Drug: Semaglutide

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT05530577

R21DA047663-02 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

21-1548

Details and patient eligibility

About

Tobacco use remains the foremost cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. and worldwide. Advancing new smoking cessation therapies, including those targeting novel biological mechanisms, is a critical public health priority. Accumulating evidence from preclinical studies suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists reduce intake and/or reinstatement of addictive drugs, including nicotine. However, translational work is necessary to establish whether GLP-1 receptor agonists alter aspects of nicotine response and smoking behavior in smokers. Human laboratory studies play a pivotal role in drug development by providing a time- and cost-efficient means of validating preclinical findings, also providing an ideal platform for studying mechanisms of medication effects. This is an experimental investigation to examine the effects of an approved GLP-1 receptor agonist on nicotine intake and reinstatement. Dependent smokers will be enrolled in a double-blind, parallel-arm trial with laboratory endpoints. Laboratory procedures will include a validated procedure for measuring smoking lapse/reinstatement after overnight abstinence. This study will provide initial laboratory evidence for the potential efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists as adjunctive treatments for smoking cessation.

Enrollment

24 patients

Sex

All

Ages

21 to 65 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age 21-65
Smoking 5+ cigarettes per day (on average) over the past year, with no period of abstinence > 90 days
Biochemical verification of smoking status, based on expired CO > 8 at baseline
Willingness to take study medication and complete study procedures
Willingness to complete lab sessions involving cigarette smoking
Ability to communicate in English

Exclusion criteria

Regular use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/vaping), cigars, chewing tobacco or snuff, based on at least weekly use in the past 30 days
Past 30-day use of nicotine replacement therapies/products
Reporting past 30-day use of illicit drugs other than cannabis at baseline, or having a positive toxicology screen for illicit drugs other than cannabis at baseline
Current engagement in alcohol or smoking cessation treatments, or currently engaged in intentional efforts to quit cigarette use
Past 30-day use of: Sincalide, Sulfonylureas, insulin and insulin products or other medications that may interact with semaglutide, or weight control medications
Prior use of semaglutide or other GLP-1 agonists
Known or suspected hypersensitivity to study medication or related products
Lifetime diagnosis of severe mental illness (including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
Meeting criteria for current alcohol use disorder (AUD) or other substance use disorder (with the exception of tobacco or mild cannabis use disorder)
History of suicide attempt, or recent (past 30 day) suicidal ideation, or psychiatric hospitalization in the last 6 months
Current significant medical or neurological illness (based on self-report or medical record) including severe hepatic impairment or cirrhosis, impaired renal function (eGFR <50ml/min), acute or chronic pancreatitis, gastroparesis, gallbladder disease or cholelithiasis, other severe gastrointestinal disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, seizure disorder, or other medical condition that poses a risk for the medication or alcohol administration components of the study (as determined by the MD)
A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A or 2B
Calcitonin greater than or equal to 50 ng/L
Uncontrolled thyroid disease at screening
History of major surgical procedures involving the stomach potentially affecting absorption of trial product (e.g., subtotal and total gastrectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery)
History of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or HbA1c >6.5% measured at screening
History of diabetic retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy, or maculopathy
History of diabetic ketoacidosis
History or presence of malignant neoplasms within the last 5 years (except basal and squamous cell skin cancer and carcinoma in situ)
Currently nursing, pregnant, anticipating pregnancy in the next 6 months, or not using a highly effective contraceptive method as judged by the MD, and defined as:
1. combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal)
2. progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable)
3. intrauterine device
4. intrauterine hormone-releasing system
5. bilateral tubal occlusion
6. vasectomized partner
7. sexual abstinence
Elevation of serum lipase, amylase, direct (conjugated) bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ALT, or AST) more than 3X the upper limit of normal on baseline bloodwork
Baseline body mass index (BMI) <23kg/m^2
Uncontrolled hypertension or systolic BP >180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP >105 mmHg, averaged from three measurements
Plans for travel outside of the local area in the upcoming 12 weeks that would interfere with lab visits during the study period (or other logistic factors that would make it difficult to commit to entire duration of study)