The Importance to Address and Help Visceral Adiposity in HIV Patients
David Wohl, MD, explains the health risks of visceral fat and the role of treatments like Tesamorelin F8 in managing the condition.
Theratechnologies has received FDA approval for its supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for EGRIFTA WR (Tesamorelin F8), a newly formulated treatment designed to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The new formulation replaces the previously approved EGRIFTA SV, reducing the dosing frequency from daily to weekly reconstitution, which improves patient convenience and adherence to treatment.
Tesamorelin F8, a growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) analog, stimulates endogenous growth hormone production to reduce visceral adipose tissue. This updated version maintains bioequivalence with its predecessor while requiring less than half the injection volume. Common side effects include arthralgia, injection site reactions, extremity pain, peripheral edema, and myalgia.
In an interview with Contagion Live, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, discussed the importance of identifying and treating visceral adiposity in HIV patients due to its significant impact on long-term health outcomes.
Wohl explained, "There are two key reasons why it's important to identify and treat this condition in HIV patients. First, many people come to me saying they dislike the appearance of their abdomen. When I examine them, I find that the fat isn't just subcutaneous—it's deep, visceral fat. It’s not a cosmetic issue; it’s something they feel uncomfortable with, and they feel disfigured. This can lead to self-stigmatization and body image concerns."
He continued, "Second, we know that visceral adiposity is linked to several adverse health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Interestingly, the body roundness index (BRI) is better at predicting these outcomes compared to BMI, as it more accurately reflects visceral fat. BRI is similar to BMI but also includes waist circumference measurements, which helps assess the risk associated with visceral fat more precisely. Even without a tape measure, asking patients about changes in their belt size or pants fitting can provide valuable insight."
Wohl emphasized the metabolic risks associated with visceral adipose tissue, stating, "Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is metabolically active, so we want to minimize it. For patients who already have it, reducing VAT is crucial. This is a significant and challenging issue in medicine, especially for people living with HIV."
He also highlighted the effectiveness of current interventions, noting, "It’s promising that we now have interventions, like EGRIFTA, which, when combined with diet and exercise, can make a real difference in helping these patients."
With the approval of EGRIFTA WR, patients living with HIV and lipodystrophy now have a more convenient option to address visceral fat accumulation, which may contribute to improved quality of life and better long-term health outcomes.
Listen to part 1 of our interview: Clinical Insights on HIV-Associated Visceral Fat Following FDA Approval of Tesamorelin F8
