Wilson JM, Lin Y, Luo MJ, et al. - This is a hypothesis-generating exploratory analysis wherein use of tirzepatide (a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) for treatment of type 2 diabetes was shown to result in reduction of several biomarkers that have been linked with cardiovascular risk.

• In this post hoc analysis of a phase 2 trial (in which tirzepatide dose-dependently decreased HbA1c and body weight in type 2 diabetes patients), the additional impacts of tirzepatide on cardiovascular risk factors were examined.

• Tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg, at 26 weeks, reduced YKL-40, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), leptin, and growth differentiation factor 15 levels relative to baseline, and YKL-40 and leptin levels vs placebo and dulaglutide.

• Also, tirzepatide 15 mg led to reduction in ICAM-1 concentrations vs placebo and dulaglutide, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels relative to baseline and placebo, but not dulaglutide.

• A rapid decline in YKL-40, hsCRP, and ICAM-1 levels was evident within 4 weeks of therapy with tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg, whereas the fall in leptin concentrations was more slow and did not plateau by 26 weeks.