Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Agonists May Cut Cancer Risk in Obese Patients, Study Finds

Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness

Obesity is associated with significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing certain cancers. Thirteen types of cancer, known as obesity-associated cancers, are particularly linked to having too much body fat. These include cancers of the esophagus, breast, colon, endometrium, gallbladder, stomach, kidney, ovary, pancreas, and thyroid, as well as liver cancer, meningioma, and multiple myeloma. Obesity can also lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), which can further increase these cancer risks.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers conducted a nationwide study to investigate whether certain diabetes drugs, called glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, could lower the risk of these cancers in patients with T2D. These drugs, including Ozempic (semaglutide) and liraglutide, are known for their effectiveness in treating T2D and helping with weight loss. The study compared patients with T2D who were prescribed GLP-1RAs with those who were treated with insulin or metformin between 2005 and 2018.

The study's findings were significant. Patients using GLP-1RAs had a notably lower risk of developing 10 out of the 13 studied obesity associated cancers. These cancers included kidney, pancreatic, esophageal, ovarian, liver, and colorectal cancer. Notably, no significant change in risk was observed for thyroid cancer and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

These results suggest that GLP-1RAs may play a crucial role in reducing the risk of certain cancers in patients with T2D, potentially due to their efficacy in controlling diabetes and obesity. The findings warrant further long-term studies to explore the cancer-preventative effects of GLP-1RAs and other newer antidiabetic and weight loss agents. Additionally, future research should investigate the comparative effectiveness of these pharmacologic agents against lifestyle interventions and metabolic-bariatric surgery for managing obesity and diabetes.

Moreover, the study emphasizes the need to evaluate GLP-1RAs' effectiveness in managing comorbid conditions during cancer therapy and their role in secondary prevention to delay cancer recurrence. Given the negative impact of T2D and obesity on cancer therapy outcomes, GLP-1RAs could offer significant benefits in improving patient prognosis.

This discovery opens the door to further research that could reshape the approach to managing T2D and obesity, highlighting the potential of GLP-1RAs not only in treating these conditions but also in reducing cancer risks.

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