There is good reason for the excitement surrounding the new glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor- and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor-targeted therapies that will come into the market this year and next, say diabetes and obesity investigators who will be featured speakers at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association^® (ADA).

“Our GLP-1 receptor-targeted medications are not just getting indications for diabetes and obesity, they are getting indications for prevention of heart attack and stroke, for obstructive sleep apnea, and for MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). There is also evidence to support prevention of progression of kidney disease and improvement in osteoarthritis,” said Donna Ryan, MD, Professor Emeritus, Clinical Science, Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

But along with the benefits, there are challenges, including the development of nutritional deficiencies and the potential for lean body mass loss.

“Robust weight loss is inevitably associated with reduction in lean mass, which includes muscle and bone,” continued Dr. Ryan, who will discuss clinical trials for incretin-based therapies during GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: What’s New in 2026? The symposium, to be held on Monday, June 8 from 8:00–9:30 a.m. in Great Hall A of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, will explore the promise of these medications as well as provide suggestions for meeting the challenges those therapies may entail. On-demand access to recorded presentations will be available to registered participants following the conclusion of the 2026 Scientific Sessions, from June 10–August 10.

Dr. Ryan explained that the drugs clinicians can expect to see this year include a higher dose semaglutide (7.2 mg); orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA); and cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin calcitonin dual agonist that is launching in combination with semaglutide. Next year will bring MariTide, a combination GIP/GLP-1 RA, the first monoclonal antibody given monthly, she added, as well as retatrutide, a triple agonist to GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors, and survodutide, a dual agonist to GLP-1 and glucagon receptors.

“All this means not only more options to improve weight-loss profiles in patients who need more weight loss, but also different profiles in disease-modifying properties,” Dr. Ryan said. “It’s an exciting time.”

A challenge of these medications is that they are so effective at decreasing appetite that individuals may be at risk for nutritional deficiencies because they simply don’t feel hungry enough to eat said nutrition and diabetes education consultant Patti Urbanski, MEd, RDN, LD, CDCES, FADCES. There is also a risk of bone and muscle loss, commonly seen with weight loss. All these factors make it even more important to be sure individuals who take these medications are eating enough protein and other nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, among others.

“It really takes some time to talk about people’s eating habits,” Ms. Urbanski noted. “You need to spend some time finding out what foods they like, what foods they’re currently eating, and identify what foods their eating plans may be short on so that you can focus on those specific food items. That’s why it’s really important that individuals who are on these medications have a team of people helping them with their weight-loss journey. That includes meeting with a registered dietitian nutritionist so that they have a chance to get a full evaluation of their current eating habits and some specific strategies of foods they should work on.”

Ian Neeland, MD, FAHA, FACC, will present methods to help patients preserve lean body mass while receiving GLP-1-based therapies. Dr. Neeland is the Director of Cardiovascular Prevention and Co-Director of the Center for Integrated and Novel Approaches in Vascular-Metabolic Disease at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University.

Also during this session, Sean Wharton, MD, will discuss how obesity medications are being used to treat osteoarthritis. Dr. Wharton is the Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic in Ontario, Canada, and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University and York University.

Save the date

Make plans to join us June 18–21, 2027, for the 2027 Scientific Sessions at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Registration will open in January.