A recent study indicates that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy might reduce the risk of certain cancers in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Published in the JAMA Network Open, the research highlights a significant reduction in the likelihood of developing 10 out of 13 cancers associated with obesity among those treated with GLP-1 drugs compared to those on insulin. Notably, the risk reductions were substantial for cancers of the gallbladder, brain (meningioma), pancreas, and liver (hepatocellular carcinoma), as well as ovarian, colorectal, multiple myeloma, esophageal, endometrial, and kidney cancers.
Excess weight contributes to increased risks of certain cancers through mechanisms such as chronic inflammation and elevated levels of insulin and other growth factors, according to the CDC. GLP-1 drugs, which influence insulin-related systems, appear to mitigate some of these risks.
However, the study also notes no association between GLP-1 treatments and reduced risks of postmenopausal breast cancer, stomach cancer, or thyroid cancer. In fact, potential adverse impacts on the thyroid have been noted with GLP-1 treatments, prompting caution due to existing warnings on medication packaging.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the MetroHealth System analyzed over a decade of health records from nearly 1.7 million people with type 2 diabetes to reach these findings. While the study provides initial evidence suggesting the potential cancer-preventive benefits of GLP-1 medications in high-risk groups, it calls for more research to explore the correlation between cancer risk reduction and weight loss magnitude. Further studies are encouraged to confirm and expand upon these preliminary results.
