Genetics reveal why people respond differently to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

## Summary
Related Articles Read the paper: Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Weight loss alters adipose tissue beyond just reducing fat Genetic risk variants lead to type 2 diabetes development through different pathways See all News & Views Subjects Genetics Genomics Obesity Latest on: Genetics Genomics Obesity Saturation editing of RNU4-2 reveals distinct dominant and recessive disorders Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Gene regulatory landscape dissected by single-cell four-omics sequencing Article 01 APR 26 Dogs have deep genetic roots in ice-age Europe News & Views 25 MAR 26 Why obesity drugs work better for some people: these genes hold clues News 08 APR 26 Can weight-loss pills replace injectables? What the science says News 17 MAR 26 ‘Baked, not fried’: five highlights from nutrition research Spotlight 12 MAR 26 Jobs Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Locations: Shanghai or Madrid – hybrid working model Closing Date: 21st April 2026 About Springer Natur... Shanghai (CN), Madrid Springer Nature Ltd Associate or Senior Editor, Scientific Reviews Job Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Scientific Reviews Locations: Shanghai or Beijing (hybrid) Application deadline: April 23rd, 2026 About Sp... Shanghai (CN) /Beijing Springer Nature Ltd Associate or Senior Editor, Communications Sustainability Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Communications Sustainability Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Pune or New Delhi Application Deadline: Marc...

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In just a few years, weight-loss medications based on GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) have transformed the treatment of obesity. Millions of adults worldwide have now used these drugs, and the number is expected to increase exponentially. The degree of weight loss these drugs induce often exceeds 20% of body weight, a level previously unimaginable
1
,
2
. However, responses vary considerably. Although most participants in clinical trials lose more than 10% of their body weight, about one in ten achieve less than 5% and are considered non-responders. Tolerability also differs substantially, with at least one in three users experiencing adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, whereas others report minimal or no events.
Writing in
Nature
, Su
et al
.
3
report that genetic differences between users might help to explain some of the variability in responses to GLP-1-based anti-obesity medications.
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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00905-1
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Competing Interests
R.J.F.L. is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, an independent research centre at the University of Copenhagen that is partially funded by an unrestricted donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF23SA0084103 and NNF18CC0034900).
Related Articles
Read the paper: Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects
Weight loss alters adipose tissue beyond just reducing fat
Genetic risk variants lead to type 2 diabetes development through different pathways
See all News & Views
Subjects
Genetics
Genomics
Obesity
Latest on:
Genetics
Genomics
Obesity
Saturation editing of RNU4-2 reveals distinct dominant and recessive disorders
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08 APR 26
Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface
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08 APR 26
Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects
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08 APR 26
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08 APR 26
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01 APR 26
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25 MAR 26
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Spotlight
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Job Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Scientific Reviews Locations: Shanghai or Beijing (hybrid) Application deadline: April 23rd, 2026   About Sp...
Shanghai (CN) /Beijing
Springer Nature Ltd
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Related Articles Read the paper: Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Weight loss alters adipose tissue beyond just reducing fat Genetic risk variants lead to type 2 diabetes development through different pathways See all News & Views Subjects Genetics Genomics Obesity Latest on: Genetics Genomics Obesity Saturation editing of RNU4-2 reveals distinct dominant and recessive disorders Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Gene regulatory landscape dissected by single-cell four-omics sequencing Article 01 APR 26 Dogs have deep genetic roots in ice-age Europe News & Views 25 MAR 26 Why obesity drugs work better for some people: these genes hold clues News 08 APR 26 Can weight-loss pills replace injectables?

### Implications
- Writing in Nature , Su et al . 3 report that genetic differences between users might help to explain some of the variability in responses to GLP-1-based anti-obesity medications.
- Go to natureasia.com Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from $1.95 to $39.95 Learn more Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00905-1 References Wilding, J.
- Related Articles Read the paper: Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Weight loss alters adipose tissue beyond just reducing fat Genetic risk variants lead to type 2 diabetes development through different pathways See all News & Views Subjects Genetics Genomics Obesity Latest on: Genetics Genomics Obesity Saturation editing of RNU4-2 reveals distinct dominant and recessive disorders Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects Article 08 APR 26 Single-cell spatiotemporal dissection of the human maternal–fetal interface Article 08 APR 26 Gene regulatory landscape dissected by single-cell four-omics sequencing Article 01 APR 26 Dogs have deep genetic roots in ice-age Europe News & Views 25 MAR 26 Why obesity drugs work better for some people: these genes hold clues News 08 APR 26 Can weight-loss pills replace injectables?

### Expert Commentary
This article covers article, nature, google topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 751.