GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Could Stop Cancer Progressing, Says New Study

Medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, which are classified as GLP-1 drugs, are well-known for their effectiveness in treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Recent studies, however, indicate they might also play a role in reducing the spread of tumors in cancer patients.

The study set to be unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting this week, analyzed data from over 10,000 individuals with solid tumors, including those affecting the breast, prostate, colorectal, and lungs. The findings reveal that patients who started using GLP-1 receptor agonists post-cancer diagnosis experienced a slower cancer progression compared to those who used gliptins, another type of diabetes medication.

“Our study found that using GLP-1 drugs, as opposed to DPP-4 inhibitors [gliptins] and other antidiabetic medications, significantly reduced cancer progression across four types of solid tumors. This provides preliminary evidence that further research is warranted,” stated Mark Orland, MD, from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, who led the study, according to a press release.

Utilizing the global health research network TriNetX, which houses data from over 145 million patient records, researchers identified cancer patients who began using GLP-1 receptor agonists after diagnosis. They then matched these patients with others who had similar characteristics but were using a different antidiabetic drug for comparison.

The study showed that the risk of cancer spreading was reduced in four types of cancer: non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and the most common type of liver cancer. Patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists were 38% to 50% less likely to see their cancer metastasize compared to those on gliptins. Moreover, those using GLP-1 drugs did not experience an increase in side effects compared to the control group.

“These findings warrant cautious optimism. For patients juggling both diabetes and cancer, the prospect that their antidiabetic medication might also aid in cancer management is promising. However, these are observational findings, and such data have limitations,” Dr. Orland noted in the ASCO Daily News.

Another analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas found that tumors with higher GLP-1 receptor expression were linked to better overall survival across seven cancer types, with the strongest correlation in breast cancer.

While the results are encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for extensive research, including randomized controlled trials where patient groups are compared with and without GLP-1 drug treatment.

“GLP-1 receptor agonists have always been more than glucose-lowering agents. Their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties have suggested broader impacts. The consistency across tumor types and the scale of the data justify a prospective randomized trial,” commented Marcin Chwistek, MD, Chief of Supportive Oncology and Palliative Care Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Should further evidence confirm GLP-1 drugs’ role in slowing cancer progression, researchers aim to understand the underlying mechanisms, with current hypotheses involving immune system modulation, direct action on tumor cells, and inflammation reduction.

“Whether the protective effect is due to immunomodulation, direct GLP-1 receptor signaling on tumor or stromal cells, systemic inflammation reduction, or metabolic reprogramming remains a crucial question we are actively investigating,” Dr. Orland concluded.

Other research also hints at the potential of GLP-1 drugs in cancer prevention. A study led by scientists at the University of Texas suggested they might slightly decrease the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Meanwhile, another study by researchers at the University of Indiana found a reduced risk of multiple cancer types in overweight or obese individuals.