Weight loss drugs may significantly reduce the risk of developing and dying from breast cancer, according to three new studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.
The findings add to growing scientific interest in GLP‑1 drugs, which are already widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, and are now being examined as a potential tool for cancer prevention or supportive treatment.
The first study, based on data analysis from around 110,000 women aged 45 to 80, showed that those taking GLP‑1 drugs had a 30% lower likelihood of developing breast cancer compared with those who were not receiving similar treatment.
The research was presented by Elizabeth MacDonald, professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and breast cancer specialist at the Abramson Cancer Center. As she noted, the study is observational and does not prove a direct causal relationship, but it highlights the need for further investigation into the potential anti‑cancer effects of these drugs.
GLP‑1 drugs mimic the action of the natural hormone glucagon‑like peptide‑1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. Although initially developed for diabetes, they have been widely used in recent years for weight management.
Scientists point out that weight loss itself is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer, particularly after menopause, as obesity is considered a significant risk factor. At the same time, the drugs appear to reduce chronic inflammation and influence biological mechanisms associated with tumour development.
A second study, involving around 27,000 patients with breast cancer, found that adding weight loss drugs to standard treatment was associated with a 30% lower risk of death from the disease. The research was carried out by the Italian oncology centre Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori.
Similar findings emerged from a third study by the Cleveland Clinic, involving around 12,000 patients with breast, lung, colorectal and liver cancer. According to the results, those taking GLP‑1 drugs had a 38% to 50% lower likelihood of metastasis at stage 4.
Marcin Chwistek, director of the supportive oncology and palliative care programme at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, said that GLP‑1 drugs are no longer viewed simply as treatments for blood sugar control, as their anti‑inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have long attracted scientific interest for broader therapeutic applications.
On her part, oncologist Eleonora Teplinsky from the Valley Health System in New Jersey noted that it remains unclear whether the benefits are linked solely to weight loss or also to other biological mechanisms. As she said, clinical studies are needed to more systematically examine the effect of these drugs on disease progression and the likelihood of recurrence.
She added that there are also indications that GLP‑1 drugs may help manage side effects from hormonal therapies, with many patients reporting an improvement in their daily life during treatment.
Source: The Guardian
