It appears that one of the most widely used weight loss medications may offer more than just help with shedding pounds and could also provide additional health benefits. Recent research indicates that Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists might possess unexpected anti-cancer properties, potentially lowering the risk of certain cancers, particularly those associated with obesity.
Recent studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly used as weight loss injections, could provide notable anti-cancer benefits beyond their weight-reducing effects. Although weight loss is already known to lower cancer risk, the findings indicate that these medications may have a more direct impact on reducing cancer risk independently.
Scientists suggest that the possible anti-cancer benefits of these drugs may stem from their ability to lower inflammation. Among the different GLP-1 receptor agonists, newer versions are thought to deliver the strongest impact. These medications work by curbing appetite, which supports weight loss. They are accessible through the NHS for people with a high BMI and can also be obtained privately.
Excess weight or obesity is the second most significant cause of cancer in the UK, accounting for more than one in every 20 cancer cases. The likelihood of developing cancer increases with both the severity and duration of obesity. Keeping a healthy weight is linked to a lower risk of 13 specific types of cancer, such as breast, bowel, pancreatic, oesophagal, and gallbladder cancers.
Dr. Yael Wolff Sagy, co-lead author from Clalit Health Services in Tel-Aviv, highlighted the results by stating that GLP-1 receptor agonists were “41 per cent more effective at preventing obesity-related cancers.” She pointed out that although the precise mechanisms of GLP-1s remain unclear, the study supports growing evidence that these drugs provide metabolic and anti-cancer benefits beyond weight loss alone.
For the research, scientists examined electronic health records of individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes, none of whom had a prior cancer diagnosis, who were treated with first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists. During an average follow-up period of 7.5 years, 298 participants developed obesity-related cancers, with breast, bowel, and womb cancers being the most commonly observed.
Professor Dror Dicker, co-lead author from Hasharon Hospital at Rabin Medical Centre in Israel, spoke about the diverse protective benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists in relation to obesity-related cancers, suggesting that their impact may be due to multiple factors, including reduced inflammation. He emphasised that the extended follow-up period in the study provided a rare opportunity to compare the effects of GLP-1 medications with those of surgical interventions, especially given the typically long latency periods associated with cancer development.
Detailed look:
Reduced risk of obesity-related cancers: Research has indicated that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could lower the risk of certain obesity-related cancers, including colorectal, oesophagal, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers.
Potential mechanism: A significant finding is that these medications may help restore the function of natural killer cells, which are often impaired in obese individuals. Natural killer cells are essential for detecting and destroying cancer cells. Experts suggest that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, could enhance the function of these cells, potentially lowering cancer risk.
Beyond weight loss: The anti-cancer benefits of GLP-1 drugs are not limited to weight loss. Researchers propose that these drugs may reduce inflammation and assist the immune system in eliminating cancer cells before they can form tumours. This suggests that GLP-1 medications could have a wider role in cancer prevention and possibly treatment.
More research needed: Although the results are promising, further studies are necessary to fully understand the anti-cancer potential of GLP-1 drugs. Ongoing research is exploring how these medications may reduce cancer risk and how they can be best used in cancer prevention and therapy.
[With inputs from TOI]
Recent studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly used as weight loss injections, could provide notable anti-cancer benefits beyond their weight-reducing effects. Although weight loss is already known to lower cancer risk, the findings indicate that these medications may have a more direct impact on reducing cancer risk independently.
Scientists suggest that the possible anti-cancer benefits of these drugs may stem from their ability to lower inflammation. Among the different GLP-1 receptor agonists, newer versions are thought to deliver the strongest impact. These medications work by curbing appetite, which supports weight loss. They are accessible through the NHS for people with a high BMI and can also be obtained privately.
Excess weight or obesity is the second most significant cause of cancer in the UK, accounting for more than one in every 20 cancer cases. The likelihood of developing cancer increases with both the severity and duration of obesity. Keeping a healthy weight is linked to a lower risk of 13 specific types of cancer, such as breast, bowel, pancreatic, oesophagal, and gallbladder cancers.
Dr. Yael Wolff Sagy, co-lead author from Clalit Health Services in Tel-Aviv, highlighted the results by stating that GLP-1 receptor agonists were “41 per cent more effective at preventing obesity-related cancers.” She pointed out that although the precise mechanisms of GLP-1s remain unclear, the study supports growing evidence that these drugs provide metabolic and anti-cancer benefits beyond weight loss alone.
For the research, scientists examined electronic health records of individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes, none of whom had a prior cancer diagnosis, who were treated with first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists. During an average follow-up period of 7.5 years, 298 participants developed obesity-related cancers, with breast, bowel, and womb cancers being the most commonly observed.
Professor Dror Dicker, co-lead author from Hasharon Hospital at Rabin Medical Centre in Israel, spoke about the diverse protective benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists in relation to obesity-related cancers, suggesting that their impact may be due to multiple factors, including reduced inflammation. He emphasised that the extended follow-up period in the study provided a rare opportunity to compare the effects of GLP-1 medications with those of surgical interventions, especially given the typically long latency periods associated with cancer development.
Detailed look:
Reduced risk of obesity-related cancers: Research has indicated that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could lower the risk of certain obesity-related cancers, including colorectal, oesophagal, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers.
Potential mechanism: A significant finding is that these medications may help restore the function of natural killer cells, which are often impaired in obese individuals. Natural killer cells are essential for detecting and destroying cancer cells. Experts suggest that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, could enhance the function of these cells, potentially lowering cancer risk.
Beyond weight loss: The anti-cancer benefits of GLP-1 drugs are not limited to weight loss. Researchers propose that these drugs may reduce inflammation and assist the immune system in eliminating cancer cells before they can form tumours. This suggests that GLP-1 medications could have a wider role in cancer prevention and possibly treatment.
More research needed: Although the results are promising, further studies are necessary to fully understand the anti-cancer potential of GLP-1 drugs. Ongoing research is exploring how these medications may reduce cancer risk and how they can be best used in cancer prevention and therapy.
[With inputs from TOI]
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