Weight Loss Injections May Have Anti-Cancer Effects, Researchers Suggest

Strategic Insights -

New research published in the journal eClinicalMedicine suggests that weight loss injections, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, may have anti-cancer effects beyond simply helping people shed pounds. Experts already know that losing weight reduces the risk of cancer, but this study found that weight loss injections may have a direct effect on reducing obesity-related cancer, with a 41 per cent lower relative risk compared to bariatric surgery. The study analyzed electronic health record data for obese people and those with type 2 diabetes, all with no prior history of cancer, who were treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. The findings suggest that newer drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda) may have the biggest effect.

Key Takeaways:

  • First-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists may have anti-cancer benefits beyond weight loss, according to the study.
  • Researchers found a "direct effect" of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond weight-loss "to be 41 per cent more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer".
  • The study analyzed electronic health record data for 3,178 patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity who were treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Over a typical follow-up of 7.5 years, 298 patients were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer, most commonly breast, bowel, and womb cancer.
  • The analysis found that obesity-related cancer occurred in 150 of 3,178 bariatric surgery patients and in 148 of 3,178 patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, called for larger trials with carefully matched groups of people to test the theory.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed electronic health record data for 3,178 patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity who were treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Over a typical follow-up of 7.5 years, 298 patients were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer, most commonly breast, bowel, and womb cancer.
  • Obesity-related cancer occurred in 150 of 3,178 bariatric surgery patients and in 148 of 3,178 patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • The analysis found a 41 per cent lower relative risk of obesity-related cancer in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to bariatric surgery patients.

Sources:

  • eClinicalMedicine
  • Yael Wolff Sagy, Dr, Co-lead author
  • Naveed Sattar, Professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow