Three new studies presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago suggest that weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 medications, could significantly reduce the risk of developing or dying from cancer. The drugs, already used by millions to treat obesity, were associated with a 30% lower risk of breast cancer in one analysis of 110,000 women aged 45 to 80.
A second study involving 27,000 breast cancer patients found that adding weight-loss drugs to standard treatment reduced the risk of death by 30%. A third study of 12,000 patients with breast, lung, bowel or liver cancer showed that those on the drugs were 38% to 50% less likely to develop stage-four disease.
Dr Elizabeth McDonald of the University of Pennsylvania, who presented the first study, cautioned that the findings are observational and do not confirm a direct link, but added that the drugs affect multiple pathways associated with cancer development. The drugs mimic a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite, and are thought to reduce inflammation and have other metabolic effects that may inhibit tumour growth.
Experts not involved in the research noted that while the benefits may partly stem from weight loss, the drugs' anti-inflammatory properties could play a role. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms and confirm the findings.
