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Medications commonly prescribed for weight loss may offer significant protection against cancer and improve outcomes for patients already diagnosed with the disease, according to new studies unveiled at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Researchers presented evidence indicating that GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs originally developed for type 2 diabetes and now widely used to treat obesity, could reduce the likelihood of developing certain cancers and improve survival rates among cancer patients.
One large-scale study involving more than 110,000 women between the ages of 45 and 80 found that those taking GLP-1 medications were approximately 30% less likely to develop breast cancer compared with women who were not using the drugs.
The research was led by Dr. Elizabeth McDonald of the University of Pennsylvania and the Abramson Cancer Center. While emphasizing that the study was observational and cannot prove cause and effect, she said the findings add to growing evidence that these medications may have a role in cancer prevention.
Scientists believe the benefits may extend beyond weight loss alone. GLP-1 drugs are known to reduce inflammation and influence several biological pathways associated with cancer development, potentially helping to slow or prevent tumor formation.
A separate study involving around 27,000 breast cancer patients found that combining GLP-1 medications with standard cancer treatments was associated with a 30% lower risk of death. The research was conducted by Italy’s IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori cancer center.
Another analysis, led by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic and involving roughly 12,000 cancer patients, reported that individuals taking weight-loss medications were significantly less likely to experience progression to advanced-stage disease. The reduction in risk ranged from 38% to 50% among patients with breast, lung, bowel, and liver cancers.
Experts who were not involved in the studies described the findings as promising but cautioned that more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Dr. Marcin Chwistek of Fox Chase Cancer Center noted that GLP-1 receptor agonists have long demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties, suggesting they may offer benefits beyond blood sugar control and weight management.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky of Valley Health System said scientists are still working to determine whether the observed cancer benefits stem primarily from weight loss or from other biological effects of the medications.
She added that some patients taking GLP-1 drugs have also reported improvements in treatment-related side effects, making the medications an increasingly important area of cancer research.
As obesity remains a major risk factor for several cancers, researchers say the growing body of evidence could eventually lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. However, experts stress that further clinical trials are necessary to confirm the findings and better understand how these drugs may influence cancer outcomes.
