Case report: clinical improvements observed in first off-label metreleptin treatment of a patient with atypical anorexia nervosa

Off-label metreleptin treatment resulted in cognitive, emotional and behavioral improvements of patients with anorexia nervosa, who presented with hypoleptinemia. We now report a case study of a 16-year-old female patient with atypical anorexia nervosa who was treated off-label with metreleptin for 11 days. She had lost 21 kg over 6 months. Her body mass index at referral for inpatient treatment was 20 kg/m2, her serum leptin level was just within the normal range (2.4 ng/ml). Dosing resulted in prominent improvements of mood and weight phobia entailing a comparatively brief inpatient treatment. The observed improvements are similar to those observed in patients with AN, suggesting overlapping mechanisms with respect to clinical effects induced by elevations of absolute or relative hypoleptinemia. Randomized controlled trials are warranted for both eating disorders.

Automated summary

Off-label metreleptin treatment can improve cognition, emotions, and behaviors in patients with anorexia nervosa and hypoleptinemia. A case study showed significant improvements in mood and weight phobia after 11 days of treatment, with a relatively short treatment duration.