Weight-Loss Drug Clears Major CV Hurdle Trial also shows modest reduction in new cases of diabetes

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/esc/74760?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2018-08-27&eun=g721819d0r&pos=&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202018-08-27&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days Lorcaserin is a selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist,[12] and in vitro testing of the drug showed reasonable selectivity for 5-HT2C over other related targets.[13][14][15] 5-HT2C receptors are located almost exclusively in the brain, and can be found in the choroid plexus, cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The activation of 5-HT2C receptors in the hypothalamus is supposed to activate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) production and consequently promote weight loss through satiety.[16] This hypothesis is supported by clinical trials and other studies. While it is generally thought that 5-HT2C receptors help to regulate appetite as well as mood, and endocrine secretion,[17] the exact mechanism of appetite regulation is not yet known. Lorcaserin has shown 100x selectivity for 5-HT2C versus the closely related 5-HT2B receptor, and 17x selectivity over the 5-HT2A receptor.[18][19]