Evaluating the therapeutic benefits and safety of ecnoglutide for type 2 diabetes: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
9 affiliations
- 1Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
- 2Chandka Medical College, Larkana, Pakistan.
- 3University hospital limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- 4Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- 5Liaquat National Hospital and medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
- 6Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur, AJ& K, Pakistan.
- 7Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
- 8Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari, Karachi, Pakistan.
- 9Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health challenge, necessitating effective therapies that improve glycemic control and promote weight loss. Ecnoglutide, a novel cAMP-biased GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option.Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted following PRISMA and AMSTAR-2 guidelines. Electronic databases were searched up to February 2026. Eligible studies included adult patients with T2DM comparing ecnoglutide with placebo or active comparators. Outcomes included glycemic parameters, anthropometric measures, metabolic indices, and safety. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.Results
Three RCTs comprising 979 participants were included. Ecnoglutide significantly reduced HbA1c (MD -0.57%, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.29) and fasting plasma glucose (MD -1.11 mmol/L, 95% CI -1.58 to -0.65), with a higher proportion achieving target HbA1c (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.37-1.80). Significant reductions in body weight (MD -1.83 kg) and waist circumference (MD -1.53 cm) were also observed. Improvements in insulin resistance and lipid parameters were noted. Exploratory subgroup analyses did not establish a clear dose response relationship, while short-term trials showed larger glycemic reductions compared with longer follow up. Adverse events were more frequent but not statistically significant, with no increase in serious adverse events.Conclusion
Ecnoglutide demonstrates significant efficacy in improving glycemic control and weight-related outcomes in T2DM, with a safety profile comparable to existing GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm its cardiovascular benefits and long-term safety.
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BibTeX
@article{abunada2026evaluating,
title = {{Evaluating the therapeutic benefits and safety of ecnoglutide for type 2 diabetes: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.}},
author = {Saaed Abunada and Omar Abunada and Fnu Vivek and Lakhveer Rathi and Fnu Muskan and Jiyanth Parkash and Saqlain Nazeer and Fnu Anchal and Fnu Danial and Kashish Turesh and Amjad Ali and Faizan Qureshi and Mahir Tesfaye},
journal = {Diabetology \& metabolic syndrome},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s13098-026-02250-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908033},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluating the therapeutic benefits and safety of ecnoglutide for type 2 diabetes: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AU - Saaed Abunada
AU - Omar Abunada
AU - Fnu Vivek
AU - Lakhveer Rathi
AU - Fnu Muskan
AU - Jiyanth Parkash
AU - Saqlain Nazeer
AU - Fnu Anchal
AU - Fnu Danial
AU - Kashish Turesh
AU - Amjad Ali
AU - Faizan Qureshi
AU - Mahir Tesfaye
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Diabetology & metabolic syndrome
DO - 10.1186/s13098-026-02250-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908033
AB - Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health challenge, necessitating effective therapies that improve glycemic control and promote weight loss. Ecnoglutide, a novel cAMP-biased GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted following PRISMA and AMSTAR-2 guidelines. Electronic databases were searched up to February 2026. Eligible studies included adult patients with T2DM comparing ecnoglutide with placebo or active comparators. Outcomes included glycemic parameters, anthropometric measures, metabolic indices, and safety. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.Results Three RCTs comprising 979 participants were included. Ecnoglutide significantly reduced HbA1c (MD -0.57%, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.29) and fasting plasma glucose (MD -1.11 mmol/L, 95% CI -1.58 to -0.65), with a higher proportion achieving target HbA1c (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.37-1.80). Significant reductions in body weight (MD -1.83 kg) and waist circumference (MD -1.53 cm) were also observed. Improvements in insulin resistance and lipid parameters were noted. Exploratory subgroup analyses did not establish a clear dose response relationship, while short-term trials showed larger glycemic reductions compared with longer follow up. Adverse events were more frequent but not statistically significant, with no increase in serious adverse events.Conclusion Ecnoglutide demonstrates significant efficacy in improving glycemic control and weight-related outcomes in T2DM, with a safety profile comparable to existing GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm its cardiovascular benefits and long-term safety.
SN - 1758-5996
ER -