First-Generation GLP-1 Drugs May Help Lower Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers
First-generation GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could help reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers, new research shows.
These medications have been around longer than the newer, better-known GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, but they work in similar ways.
Experts say a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep is an important component of any weight-loss strategy.
A new study indicates that certain GLP-1 weight-loss drugs can help reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers.
The study, conducted by researchers at Clalit Health Services in Israel, was published on May 11 in the journal eClinicalMedicine. The findings were presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity, May 11–14 in Malaga, Spain.
In their study, the scientists reported that the direct effect of the GLP-1 drugs liraglutide, exenatide, and dulaglutide was 41% more effective at preventing obesity-related cancers beyond just weight loss.
The researchers said they aren't certain why these types of GLP-1 drugs have anticancer properties, but they said the lower risk could come from mechanisms such as reducing inflammation in the body.
Tulsi Sharma, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco's regional campus in Fresno, said this latest research bolsters the already-known benefits of these medications. Sharma wasn't involved in the study.
'GLP-1 agonists represent a major breakthrough in weight management and diabetes treatment, offering hope for those who have faced significant challenges in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight,' she told Healthline. 'They have been linked to reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic function, and this makes them more than just weight-loss aids; they are transformative tools for long-term health.'
Anticancer benefits of GLP-1 drugs
The Clalit Health Services researchers analyzed the health records of 6,356 people.
The subjects were at least 24 years old with obesity and type 2 diabetes. None of them had a prior history of cancer.
Just over 60% of the participants were female. The average age was 52, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 41.5, above the minimum threshold of 30 for obesity.
Half of the subjects were treated with one of the GLP-1 drugs for at least 6 months, and the other half had bariatric surgery. The time period for these treatments was 2010 to 2018.
The participants had a mean follow-up period of more than 7 years.
In all, 298 participants were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer within the follow-up period. There were 150 cancer diagnoses in the group that had bariatric surgery and 148 in the group that took the GLP-1 drugs.
The most common cancer diagnosis was postmenopausal breast cancer, followed by colorectal cancer and cancer of the uterus.
The researchers said the similar results in both groups indicates that the anti-cancer benefits of these GLP-1 medications extends beyond the benefits of weight loss alone.
The scientists acknowledged that their research is an observational study and future randomized trials and larger studies need to be conducted.
Sun Kim, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University in California, said that she would have liked a third 'control' group added to the study who did not take GLP-1 drugs or had bariatric surgery. Kim wasn't involved in the new study.
She also noted that 65% of the group who underwent surgery were using insulin, while only 9% of participants taking GLP-1 drugs were using insulin.
'This is a huge difference. Individuals with diabetes who require insulin can be a different group than those who do not require insulin,' Kim told Healthline.
What to know about GLP-1 drugs
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) work by mimicking a hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes satiety.
The medications studied in the new research are first-generation drugs that have been used as treatments longer than the newer, better-known medications, such as Ozempic.
All of these medications are liquid solutions that are injected under the skin.
Liraglutide is sold under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda. Victoza is approved for treating type 2 diabetes, while Saxenda can be prescribed for weight loss. A 2023 study reported that liraglutide may help improve brain function in people with obesity.
Exenatide in its extended-release form is sold under the brand name Bydureon BCise. It is prescribed along with a healthy diet and regular exercise to treat type 2 diabetes.
Dulaglutide is sold under the brand name Trulicity. It is prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes to help reduce blood sugar levels and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
These older medications work in a similar fashion to the newer GLP-1 drugs, although studies have indicated the newer drugs may also benefit brain and heart health.
One class of the newer GLP-1 medications uses the active ingredient semaglutide. They are sold under different brand names. Ozempic and Rybelsus have been approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved for use in weight management. Semaglutide drugs are available as both oral tablets and injections.
The other newer group uses the active ingredient tirzepatide. Mounjaro is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is approved for use in weight management. These medications are available only as injections.
Sharma said the reduction of inflammation is a key to all these medications.
'Excess body fat produces inflammatory molecules that can promote tumor growth, and these medications help regulate metabolic pathways, reducing systemic inflammation,' she said. 'They also improve insulin sensitivity, which can lower the risk of insulin-resistant conditions linked to cancer.'
Health effects of obesity
Obesity is a chronic health condition.
Unhealthy eating patterns and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to obesity. Other factors like genetics, aging, lack of sleep, and stress may also play a role.
The condition, which may progressively worsen over time, is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Obesity could also lead to other health complications, such as:
'Obesity adversely affects every organ in the body,' Mir Ali, MD, a general surgeon and bariatric surgeon as well as the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, told Healthline. Ali wasn't involved in the new study.
'Some of these effects are direct damage to organs, but other effects can be due to chronic inflammation or significant hormonal changes. Therefore, someone who is severely obese is greatly reducing their life expectancy.'
Tracey Childs, MD, the chief of surgery at Providence Saint John's Health Center and adjunct associate professor of surgery at Saint John's Cancer Institute in California, said there are also the psychological and social aspects of obesity that can inhibit a person's desire to exercise or be in public settings. Childs was likewise not involved in the new research.
'It can be difficult to get out and around,' she told Healthline.
How to safely and effectively lose weight
Experts say a multi-faceted plan is the best approach to weight management.
'Many tools are available to help patients that have significant weight to lose, including, but not limited to weight loss medications and surgery,' Ali said.
'Patients who are significantly overweight have a very low long-term success rate with just dieting and exercise, and often require these tools to help them lose weight. I also advise patients that no matter what tool is used, they need to make healthier food and lifestyle choices to have long-term, sustainable results.'
'For those struggling with weight management, it's important to approach the journey with patience and self-compassion,' added Sharma. 'Start by focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes — prioritizing whole, nutrient-rich foods, regular movement, and healthy sleep habits.'
Childs noted that GLP-1 drugs can sometimes make weight loss seem relatively easy and lead to weight regain after a person stops using these medications.
Childs stresses to patients that they still need to adopt healthy lifestyles and partner with someone who will exercise with them or check in on them.
'Cooperation and accountability are important,' she said.
Kim agreed that an overall focus on health is the best strategy for weight management.
'I think it is important for individuals struggling with obesity to have a comprehensive evaluation to understand the effects of excess weight on their health,' she said. 'I try to emphasize with my patient that we are working on improving their health versus fixation on weight loss.'
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