GLP-1 Agonists for Prevention of Recurrent Hypertriglyceridemic Acute Pancreatitis
RECAP-GLP1
Effects of GLP-1 Agonists on Prevention of HTG-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Recurrence: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
396
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is associated with a high risk of recurrence despite standard lipid-lowering therapy and lifestyle modification. The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy can reduce the recurrence of HTG-AP in adults with a history of HTG-AP and hypertriglyceridemia. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
- Whether GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy reduces the recurrence rate of HTG-AP.
- Whether GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy improves triglyceride control, body weight, and metabolic parameters.
- Whether GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy is safe and well tolerated in this patient population. Researchers will compare GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy plus standard care with standard care alone to determine whether GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy provides additional benefit in preventing recurrent HTG-AP. Participants will:
- Receive either GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy plus standard care or standard care alone.
- Undergo regular clinical follow-up visits and laboratory assessments.
- Receive monitoring of triglyceride levels, recurrence events, metabolic outcomes, and adverse events during the study period.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for phase_4
Started Sep 2026
Typical duration for phase_4
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 14, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 1, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
September 1, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
September 1, 2028
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 1, 2028
June 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
2 years
May 14, 2026
May 28, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Proportion of participants with recurrent hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis
Recurrent hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is defined as an episode of acute pancreatitis occurring at least 1 month after complete symptom resolution from the index episode, with serum triglycerides \>1000 mg/dL or triglycerides 500-1000 mg/dL accompanied by chylous serum and no other identifiable cause of acute pancreatitis.
Within 18 months after randomization
Secondary Outcomes (14)
Number of recurrent hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis episodes
18 months after randomization
Change in fasting serum triglyceride level
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Change in PAN-PROMISE score
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Change in lipid profile parameters
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Change in glycemic parameters
Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
- +9 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Semaglutide
EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide for 18 months. Semaglutide is initiated at 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks and escalated to 0.5 mg weekly thereafter. Participants also receive standard-of-care management and lifestyle modification counseling, including low-fat diet, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, and alcohol limitation.
Placebo
PLACEBO COMPARATORParticipants receive once-weekly matching placebo (normal saline) subcutaneous injections for 18 months following the same administration schedule as the experimental arm. Participants also receive standard-of-care management and lifestyle modification counseling, including low-fat diet, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, and alcohol limitation.
Interventions
Semaglutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection for 18 months. Treatment is initiated at 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks and escalated to 0.5 mg once weekly thereafter to improve tolerability.
Placebo consists of normal saline administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection following the same administration schedule as semaglutide for 18 months. Participants receive 0.25 mg-equivalent injection volume once weekly for the first 4 weeks followed by 0.5 mg-equivalent injection volume once weekly thereafter.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age ≥ 18 years old
- Previous diagnosis of index HTG-AP (defined as AP with serum TG \>1000 mg/dL or a serum TG level of 500-1000 mg/dL accompanied by chylous serum)36-38
- Having HTG as the exclusive cause of AP
- Time from discharge of index HTG-AP to recruitment between 4 weeks to 3 months, without AP-related symptoms between discharge and recruitment
- Expression of the willingness to comply with lifestyle modification during the study period.
- The ability to understand the trial and completing it, as evaluated by the investigators.
You may not qualify if:
- History of malignancy in past 5 years
- History of hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, Cushing's syndrome or AIDS
- History of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic neoplasm
- History of severe cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, such as heart failure, coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Severe renal deficiency (glomerular filtration rate \< 30 ml/min)
- Severe hepatic deficiency (Child-Pugh Class B or C)
- Previous pancreatic surgery
- Recurrent AP due to pancreatic diverticulum
- Recurrent AP due to known genetic mutations (eg. CFTR)
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Current or prior diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in the investigational drug or placebo
- Pregnancy
- Breast-feeding
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100730, China
Related Publications (39)
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MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 4
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- QUADRUPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- PREVENTION
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor of Gastroenterology
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 14, 2026
First Posted
June 1, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
September 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
September 1, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
December 1, 2028
Last Updated
June 1, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-05
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share