SY28-03 - Setmelanotide/therapeutic Targeting of Melanocortin Receptors: From Drug Development to Clinical Application

The melanocortin system is a central regulator of energy homeostasis, appetite, and metabolic function. This session will highlight advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms and tissue-specific actions of melanocortin receptor subtypes, the pathophysiology and clinical consequences of receptor and accessory protein dysfunction, and the translation of these discoveries into therapies targeting rare and common forms of obesity. Presentations will span basic receptor biology, genetic and clinical insights from human disorders, and the therapeutic development of melanocortin agonists such as setmelanotide, offering a comprehensive view of this critical pathway in metabolic regulation.