Introduction to Weight Loss Drugs and Cancer Risk

Overview of GLP-1 Drugs

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to a host of benefits beyond diabetes management and weight loss, from reduced dementia risk to addiction treatment. Now new research out of Israel has found that it can substantially reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers — and it’s more effective than getting weight loss surgery.

Study Findings

A new study found that GLP-1 drugs significantly reduce cancer risk associated with obesity — even more so than getting weight loss surgery. Published in the Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, the study looked at thousands of people with obesity and diabetes who were on GLP-1 drugs including liraglutide (Saxenda), exenatide (Byetta) and dulaglutide (Trulicity). Semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) were not included in the study.

Impact on Cancer Development

Obesity is associated with 13 cancers, and losing weight can slash that risk. But the researchers found that the impact these drugs have on cancer development is greater than just aiding weight loss. That’s because they compared weight loss drug users to those who got bariatric surgery to lose weight — and their results determined that the drugs are “41% more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer,” according to Dr. Yael Wolff Sagy of Clalit Health Services in Tel-Aviv, Israel, co-lead author of the study.

Mechanisms of GLP-1 Drugs

“We do not yet fully understand how GLP-1s work, but this study adds to the growing evidence showing that weight loss alone cannot completely account for the metabolic, anti-cancer, and many other benefits that these medications provide,” she said. “The protective effects of GLP-1RAs against obesity-related cancers likely arise from multiple mechanisms, including reducing inflammation,” added co-lead author Dr. Dror Dicker from Hasharon Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Obesity-Related Cancers

Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer, including breast, prostate, uterus, pancreas, colon, kidney and liver. Kawee – stock.adobe.com

Groundbreaking Changes for Cancer Prevention

The new study could mean groundbreaking changes for cancer prevention, according to professor Mark Lawler, a cancer research expert at Queen’s University Belfast who was not involved with the study. “We already know bariatric surgery cuts obesity-related cancer risk by about a third; these data suggest target GLP-1s may cut that risk by nearly 50% — an approach that would be transformational in preventing obesity-related cancer,” he told the Guardian. “This work could herald a whole new era of preventive cancer medicine.”

Previous Research on GLP-1 Drugs

Doctors previously identified GLP-1 drugs as a helpful tool for weight loss in order to prevent obesity-related cancers, though until now the reduced risk was thought to be entirely because of weight changes. A study published last year found that people on GLP-1 drugs reduced their risk of 10 of the 13 obesity-associated cancers. “These drugs promote substantial weight loss, reducing obesity-related cancer risks,” said lead author Lindsey Wang, a medical student and research scholar at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “They also enhance insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels, decreasing cancer cell growth signals.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that GLP-1 drugs can significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers, even more so than weight loss surgery. This groundbreaking research could lead to a new era of preventive cancer medicine, and further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of GLP-1 drugs.

FAQs

What are GLP-1 drugs?

GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are medications used to manage diabetes and aid in weight loss.

How do GLP-1 drugs reduce cancer risk?

The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, but it is believed that GLP-1 drugs reduce inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity, leading to a decreased risk of obesity-related cancers.

What types of cancer are associated with obesity?

Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer, including breast, prostate, uterus, pancreas, colon, kidney, and liver cancer.

How effective are GLP-1 drugs in reducing cancer risk?

The study found that GLP-1 drugs can reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers by nearly 50%, which is more effective than weight loss surgery.