An Evidence-Based Framework To Evaluate Melanocortin-4 Receptor (Mc4r) Pathway Relevance For Obesity-Associated Genes

The MC4R pathway is the principal regulator of mammalian energy balance through its modulation of energy intake and energy expenditure. Variants in genes associated with the MC4R pathway can result in rare genetic diseases of obesity. Clinical data in patients with certain genetic defects in the MC4R pathway indicate that setmelanotide, an MC4R agonist, may effectively reduce weight and hunger in scientifically rationalized obese subpopulations in which MC4R-pathway deficit is a contributing factor to obesity.