GLP-1 agonist in acute pulmonary embolisms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of circulating endothelial inflammatory biomarkers in response to GLP-1 agonist Semaglutide in acute pulmonary embolisms
IRAS ID
300440
Contact name
Colm McCabe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Lay summary of study results: This exploratory study in 22 patients admitted to hospital with acute pulmonary embolism (large blood clots in the lungs) showed that administration of Semaglutide (an injectable GLP-1 agonist) for 4 weeks in addition to standard of care was associated with reduction in specific plasma proteins associated with immune system regulation and metabolic function. Although not designed to test for a clinical effect of the Semaglutide, there was a further indication that this intervention may bring about a potentially beneficial effect on the rate of heart recovery in this condition. This will require further investigation in larger studies.
The current long-term treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is limited to anticoagulation. Long-term complications from acute pulmonary embolisms (PE) relates to impaired clot resolution and contractile dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) which underly ‘post-PE syndrome’. Vascular inflammation is an important mediator of thrombus formation and resolution following acute PE. Recent focus on the role of the membrane surface glycoprotein CD147 in vascular inflammation and red cell agglutination suggests that targeted modulation of highly glycosylated CD147 may alter vascular inflammatory pathways. GLP-1 agonists have been shown to modulate glycosylation of CD147. We aim to use Semaglutide, a safe and well tolerated GLP-1 agonist, to evaluate the change in highly glycosylated CD147 following acute PE. We will also evaluate the change in other markers of endothelial cell phenotype, such as plasma ICAM and E-selectin, following 4 doses of Semaglutide.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1738
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion