The evolving role medical imaging datasets play in novel research

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as wonder medications. Originally developed for diabetes and metabolic diseases, newer research shows the possibilities the drugs can play in other therapy areas. Real-World Data (RWD) has played a major role in identifying new use cases for the GLP-1RAs. Furthermore, including real-world imaging datasets (RWiD) can play a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of GLP-1RAs through advanced research and innovation.

Current Use Cases of GLP-1RAs

GLP-1RAs were initially approved for managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Clinical trials and real-world studies, identified new use cases for the drugs:

1. Improved glycemic variability and reduction in diabetes related complications
2. Weight control and management
3. Reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events

Expected and Emerging Use Cases

The therapeutic landscape of GLP-1RAs is rapidly evolving, with research hinting at new-age applications beyond metabolic health. Multiple use cases have emerged in other therapy areas such as Neurology, Cardiology and Oncology. 

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Neurology

Neuroprotective and neuro-regenerative effects of GLP-1RAs: Early stage (pre-clinical) studies suggest that GLP-1RAs may have neuroprotective effects. They show potential activity in reducing inflammation, promoting neurogenesis, enhancing neuron survival, improving synaptic function & plasticity, improving vascular function and reducing oxidative stress. These may show potential use cases such as slowing disease progression in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders, prevention & early recovery from stroke, slow vision loss in glaucoma, etc.

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Cardiology

Cardioprotective effects of GLP-1RAs: Advanced research studies have shown the cardioprotective activity of these drugs in diabetics. But multiple early-stage research is exploring the potential of cardioprotective and cardio regenerative activity in non-diabetics as well. GLP-1RAs are seen to improve endothelial function, modulate the renin-angiotensin system and reduce cardiac tissue inflammation & scarring. They also have certain direct effects on the heart tissue and blood vessels through mechanisms which are not yet completely characterized or understood. Through these mechanisms, anti-atherogenic effects, plaque stabilization, reduced cardiac load, and improved cardiac activity were seen. And other indirect effects due to glycemic and weight control. Current research seems to identify potential use cases in prevention of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiovascular death & heart failure and is suspected to also support in early recovery from the above-mentioned diseases.

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Oncology

Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Early research and few preclinical studies suggest that GLP-1RAs might reduce the risk of certain cancers. Even though the mechanism is not fully known or understood, the effects of GLP-1RAs on modulating insulin like growth factors, reducing inflammation may play a major role in cancer management. Few studies indicate that these molecules may also have apoptotic activities, thereby helping with preventing cancer proliferation.

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Nephrology

Renal protective effects: Early studies suggest GLP-1RAs may benefit chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients both by preventing and by reducing kidney damage and thus improving renal functions. Current trials are focused on these actions in diabetic patients, but early research indicates, it may be effective even in non-diabetic patients.

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Other metabolic disorders

GLP-1RAs may play a major role in other diseases which are closely related with diabetes and obesity. These being non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) etc. In NASH / NAFLD, they are seen to have potential effects on reducing liver fat content and improving liver function. In PCOS, they support the management of insulin resistance, weight and metabolic regulation. Research is ongoing to understand if these are indirect effects owing to glycemic and weight control, or if there’re any other mechanisms leading to direct effects.

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RWD in GLP-1RA research

RWD has become a pillar in advancing GLP-1RA use cases. In all approved indications, post T2DM, RWD has played a major role. Unlike traditional clinical trials, RWD provides insights from diverse patient populations and real-life clinical scenarios, revealing outcomes not captured in labs. 

RWD is transforming GLP-1RA research at various stages by providing various insights.

1. Identify new biomarkers that provide insights into early diagnosis, disease progression, and therapy response.
2. One key application of RWD is providing insights and a better understanding of disease subtypes and progression. Datasets such as EHRs, claims data, and patient-reported outcomes enable insights into disease trajectory across different population groups.
3. RWD contributes majorly in optimizing clinical trial design, and execution. By analysing previous trial data and RWD, researchers can identify suitable endpoints, and identify patient cohorts who can benefit, thereby refining inclusion and exclusion criteria.
4. RWD can be used as an external control arm for the trials.
5. RWD supports real-world evidence (RWE) generation on the efficacy and safety of the interventions.

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How RWiD enhance GLP-1RA Research

RWiD are invaluable for advancing our understanding of GLP-1RAs and their emerging applications. They add a pivotal dimension by offering crucial insights into structural and functional changes, which significantly elevate the research process. They complement traditional RWD sources such as EHRs (electronic health records) and claims data, providing comprehensive and longitudinal insights. This enables for a better understanding of the disease processes, progressions and outcomes leading to improved research. By incorporating real-world imaging alongside clinical data, researchers can track disease progression, assess the impact of GLP-1RAs on organ-specific functions, and evaluate the long-term therapeutic outcomes more accurately:

1. Biomarker Discovery: Imaging is now cornerstone in multiple disease areas and with advanced imaging techniques, such as PET, MRI, and CT scans, it provides an in-depth understanding of the disease processes and responses. Real world imaging datasets can identify and validate novel imaging biomarkers to identify disease progressions and predict patient responses to GLP-1RA therapy.
2. Real world evidence and Post market surveillance: Medical imaging datasets provide visual evidence of effectiveness, safety and other unexpected / unintended effects of GLP-1RAs. 
3. Clinical trial optimization: Analysis of Real-world imaging datasets (RWiD) provides insights on imaging biomarkers, patient cohorts, end points, milestones and various interventions for the disease in focus. These insights support the enhancement of the design of clinical trials and optimize them for efficiency and speed.  Imaging data also helps to refine patient stratification by identifying subgroups thereby improving the precision and relevance of trial results.
4. Patient Stratification: Real world imaging datasets (RWiD) can help stratify patients based on their imaging profiles, ensuring that GLP-1RAs are targeted to those most likely to benefit.
5. External control arm: Real world imaging datasets, when integrated with other datasets act as external control arms. They provide detailed, longitudinal insights making trials more efficient and ethical.
6. Algorithm development and validation: When combined with advanced analytical techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), real-world imaging datasets unlock even greater potential. These technologies can analyze large volumes of imaging data to detect subtle patterns and change and provide insights. For example, AI-powered tools can automatically quantify changes in brain structure or amyloid burden, providing standardized and scalable biomarkers for research and clinical practice.
7. Precision / Personalized medicine: When RWiD is combined with other types of RWD, it enhances imaging biomarker discovery and provides better patient stratification based on disease type and drug response. Thereby facilitating personalized therapies and accelerating development of individualized care pathways.

How Segmed can support your GLP-1RA Research

Segmed, with its extensive repository of regulatory-grade RWiD, offers unparalleled support for GLP-1RA research. By providing access to diverse and longitudinal datasets, Segmed enables researchers to explore the multifaceted effects of GLP-1RAs across different therapeutic areas. For example, Segmed’s datasets can aid in:

• Identifying imaging biomarkers for tracking disease progression or therapeutic outcomes in neurology, cardiology, and oncology.
• Accelerating clinical trials by offering pre-curated datasets for hypothesis generation and validation.
• Supporting patient stratification through advanced analytics and machine learning integration.
• Generating real-world evidence to support regulatory submissions and post-market surveillance.

With a team of medical and technical subject matter experts (SMEs), Segmed provides end-to-end support, ensuring the datasets are curated and tailored to specific research needs. This expertise allows for seamless integration of complex data types, enabling researchers to focus on deriving actionable insights rather than data preparation. Furthermore, Segmed’s tokenization processes ensure data privacy and security while maintaining the longitudinal integrity necessary for studying GLP-1RAs’ effects across diverse patient populations and timelines.

By combining cutting-edge data solutions with expert guidance, Segmed facilitates breakthroughs in GLP-1RA’s research, supporting everything from early diagnosis and patient stratification to treatment optimization and real-world evidence generation.

With Segmed’s expertise and cutting-edge data solutions, researchers can uncover new applications of GLP-1RAs, driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.

Connect with us to understand how Segmed’s offerings align with your project goals and our work with GLP-1RA research.

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Conclusion

GLP-1RAs have already revolutionized diabetes and obesity management, and their potential in neurology, cardiology, oncology and other therapy areas represents the next frontier in medicine. Real-world imaging datasets, with their ability to provide comprehensive and longitudinal insights, will be instrumental in expanding the applications of GLP-1RAs. By leveraging these datasets, researchers and clinicians can accelerate innovation, optimize patient care, and unlock the full potential of this groundbreaking class of therapeutics.

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