Semaglutide for Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in People with HIV

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), defined as steatotic liver disease in combination with one or more cardiovascular risk factors, is common in people with HIV (PWH). Reducing levels of intrahepatic triglycerides (liver fat) and associated insulin resistance is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. One option being explored for this purpose is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2021 for the treatment of diabetes and for weight loss — and in 2024 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.

Investigators conducted a phase 2b, single-group, open-l…