GLP-1 drugs reduce the risk of obesity-associated cancers

A retrospective cohort study published in JAMA Network Open on July 5, 2024, revealed that glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1 drugs or GLP-1Ras) were better at reducing the risk of obesity-associated cancers (OACs) than other treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Researchers compared the incident risk of 13 OACs among patients with T2D who were prescribed GLP-1 drugs, insulins, or metformin using retrospective cohort data from a nationwide multicenter electronic health records (EHRs) database. Between March 2005 and November 2018, the database included 1,651,452 patients with T2D who did not have any prior OAC diagnosis.

According to the CDC, there are 13 OACs, including adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, post-menopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, gallbladder cancer, upper stomach cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, meningioma, and multiple myeloma.

GLP-1 drugs were associated with a lower incidence of 10 OACs compared to insulin. The study revealed that T2D patients prescribed GLP-1 drugs were 65% less likely to get gallbladder cancer and 63% less likely to get meningioma than those prescribed insulin.

Additionally, the risk of pancreatic cancer was 59% lower, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was 53% lower. Other cancers, including ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, endometrial, and kidney, were 48%, 46%, 40%, 36%, and 34% lower, respectively.

Finally, the risk of multiple myeloma was 41% lower in those taking GLP-1 drugs compared to insulin.

Additionally, the researchers found a minor, statistically insignificant reduction in stomach cancer for those taking GLP-1 drugs. Post-menopausal breast cancer and thyroid cancer risks were unaffected by GLP-1 use.

“The potential cancer-preventative effects of OACs by GLP-1RAs warrant further long-term studies as well as studies of individual newer and possibly more effective antidiabetic and weight loss agents as well as those with multihormone agonist activities. Studies are also warranted to evaluate the preventive effects of these agents on non-OACs,” concluded researchers in the publication.

As the popularity of GLP-1 drugs continues to expand, understanding their effects beyond obesity and diabetes management will be critical for assessing their use in patients.