A popular class of diabetes and obesity drugs may help keep certain cancers at bay, new research suggests. Scientists have found evidence that GLP-1 medications are associated with a lower risk of 10 different obesity-related cancers in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to only taking insulin. Newer, more potent GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide could provide an even greater buffer against cancer, the scientists say.
This new study was led by researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. They were interested in studying the health benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond diabetes and obesity. Because obesity has been tied to a greater risk of 13 cancers, including breast, thyroid, and pancreatic cancer, the team wanted to know if the medications would provide a preventive anti-cancer effect as well.
Not all the team’s findings were good news. Compared to those on metformin, people on GLP-1s did appear to have a higher risk of kidney cancer. There was also no difference in the risk of thyroid cancer between insulin and GLP-1 users. But since some evidence has found that high insulin levels in the body can raise thyroid cancer risk, that might suggest GLP-1 use can do the same.
“I would like to attribute this study to Dr. Nathan Berger, who conceptualized and supervised this study as the senior author.” Wang said.
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