A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, had lower risks of developing 10 out of 13 obesity-associated cancers compared to those taking insulin. The study included data from over 1.6 million patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of obesity-associated cancers prior to the study period.
While the study couldn’t definitively prove that GLP-1 drugs caused the lower cancer risks, the results aligned with previous findings. Patients taking GLP-1 drugs had significantly lower associated risks for various cancers, including gall bladder cancer, meningioma, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer. However, there were no lowered risks for thyroid and breast cancers, and a potentially higher risk of kidney cancer for those taking GLP-1 drugs compared to metformin.
The study highlighted the need for more research to confirm the link between GLP-1 drugs and lower cancer risks. Researchers also called for further investigation into the mechanisms behind these potential risk reductions. One limitation of the study was the inability to track individual patients’ weights over time, preventing a direct analysis of weight loss and associated cancer risk reductions.
Despite its limitations, the study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of GLP-1 drugs. Researchers recommend expanding future studies to explore the use of these drugs in improving outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity who already have cancer. Additionally, there is interest in determining if GLP-1 drugs could help prevent cancer in high-risk individuals.
Overall, the study underscores the potential of GLP-1 drugs in reducing the risk of certain cancers among patients with type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of these drugs and their mechanisms of action in cancer prevention and treatment.
