Hidden Talents of GLP-1 Drugs

Hidden Talents

Sometimes we discover that we have hidden talents that we didn’t even know we had, and sometimes we discover that something we thought had only one purpose has another. This is exactly the case with GLP-1 receptor agonists, a type of drug typically used to manage blood sugar levels in those with Type 2 Diabetes. However, recent findings in a study conducted by Case Western Reserve University researches, as published in JAMA Network Open, find that these drugs, especially Ozempic, provide the hidden benefit of potentially reducing the risk of certain obesity-cancers. 

The Study

The researchers of this study analyzed the medical records of over 1.6 million Type 2 Diabetes patients on 3 different treatment plans spanning between 2005 and 2018 as related to 13 different obesity-related cancers. Their findings? Those treated with GLP-1 drugs exhibited a significantly decreased risk of developing 10 out of 13 obesity-associated cancers compared to those on insulin treatments. However, those taking GLP-1 drugs did not have a significantly decreased cancer risk compared to those taking metformin, an older diabetic drug. 

Researchers found that GLP-1 drugs had varying impacts on different types of cancer as well. They found that the risk was reduced especially in esophageal, colorectal, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer as well as meningioma and multiple myeloma. The reduced risk ranged as far as 65% for gallbladder cancer to as low as 24% for kidney cancer. However, there was no significant reduction in risk of developing thyroid, stomach, or breast cancer.

Implications and Looking Towards the Future

However, it is important to note that further studies, like pre-clinical and clinical trials are necessary in order to further validate these findings, and the possible risks and drawbacks must be carefully considered as drug use might cause thyroid cancer. Despite this, the study has promising implications, and various respected experts in the field have weighed in. Yoni Resnick, the director of pharmacy clinical services with the New England Cancer Specialists, highlights the drugs societal and economic impacts, as “you’re reducing the risk for cancer, thus improving the overall health of the population, cutting healthcare costs.” Jennie Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at InteliHealth considers the possible broader applications: “possibilities for using them in dementia, in obesity-associated cancers and other medical problems that are linked back to the same underlying mechanism.” 

Nevertheless, this study is undoubtedly important, especially considering that, according to the CDC, it is estimated that 40% of new cancer diagnoses are linked to excess weight. This statistic isn’t just merely data, but a reminder of how our daily lifestyle choices echo in our health, and this research shines a spotlight on its importance.

Citations

Carbajal, Erica. “Ozempic May Lower Risk for Certain Cancers: New Research.” Becker’s Hospital Review, 8 July 2024, www.beckershospitalreview.com/glp-1s/ozempic-may-lower-risk-for-certain-cancers-new-research.html. 

Freeborn, Jessica. “Diabetes Drugs like Ozempic May Reduce Risk of 10 Cancers.” Edited by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 12 July 2024, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/some-diabetes-drugs-ozempic-may-lower-risks-cancer-obesity#Study-limitations-and-continued-research. 

Loeppky, John. “Ozempic, Wegovy Reduced Risk of These 10 Cancers.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 6 July 2024, www.healthline.com/health-news/glp-1-drugs-like-ozempic-may-reduce-risk-of-these-10-cancers#Reduced-risk-of-10-obesity-linked-cancers. 

Wang L, Xu R, Kaelber DC, Berger NA. Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and 13 Obesity-Associated Cancers in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(7):e2421305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.21305