English:
Doctors have reported that weight-loss drugs can reduce the risk of developing or dying from cancer by 30%. Millions of people already use these drugs to treat obesity. Now, a series of studies presented at the world's largest cancer conference suggest these drugs could also help prevent and treat cancer.
One analysis found that people who took GLP-1 medications were 30% less likely to develop breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, compared to those not taking weight-loss drugs.
A second study showed that adding weight-loss drugs to standard breast cancer treatment reduced the risk of patients dying from the disease by 30%.
A third study, involving patients with breast, lung, bowel, or liver cancer, found that those on weight-loss drugs were up to 50% less likely to have their cancer spread.
These findings were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago.
GLP-1 medications are a class of drugs that mimic a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps control blood sugar and appetite. Originally used to treat type 2 diabetes, they are now also widely used for weight management.
The first study, a retrospective analysis of 110,000 women aged 45 to 80, found that those who took GLP-1 medications were 30% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not.
The findings were presented by Dr. Elizabeth McDonald, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and a breast radiologist at the Abramson Cancer Center.
She said: "While our study was observational and doesn't definitively prove a link between GLP-1 medications and lower breast cancer rates, it adds to growing evidence that these weight-loss drugs are worth exploring as potential cancer prevention tools.
"GLP-1 medications are interesting from a cancer research perspective because they weren't designed for cancer treatment, but they do affect many different targets and pathways linked to cancer development. So we're eager to study them in this context."
GLP-1 medications are very effective at helping people lose weight, and maintaining a healthy weight has long been recommended to help prevent breast cancer. Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Researchers have also long suspected that low-grade inflammation may play a role in breast cancer development. GLP-1s reduce inflammation throughout the body through different pathways and have other metabolic and epigenetic effects that could slow tumor growth.
McDonald believes the multiple effects of weight-loss drugs help prevent breast cancer. "Ultimately, we want to find better ways to prevent breast cancer. It's been encouraging to see survival rates for breast cancer improve over recent decades, and we'd love to see the same progress in prevention," she said.
The second study, involving 27,000 breast cancer patients, was led by IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori, a cancer center in Meldola, Italy. Researchers found that adding weight-loss drugs to standard treatment was linked to a 30% lower risk of death.
The third study, involving 12,000 cancer patients and led by the Cleveland Clinic, found that in lung, breast, bowel, and liver cancer, people who took weight-loss drugs were 38% to 50% less likely to develop stage-four forms of the disease than those who did not.
Dr. Marcin Chwistek, director of the supportive oncology and palliative care program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, who was not involved in the research, said: "GLP-1 receptor agonists have never been just glucose-lowering drugs. Their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties have long suggested broader effects."
Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, head of breast and gynecologic medical oncology at Valley Health System in New Jersey, who also was not involved in the research, said it's not yet clear whether the potential benefits of weight-loss drugs in this area are due to weight loss alone or other effects of the drugs.The fight against cancer may have been influenced by weight loss or other factors.
“I think there’s enough data to show that there’s clearly some effect on either cancer risk or the chance of it coming back, but we haven’t pinned it down exactly yet,” she said. “We need more studies where patients take these drugs and we see what happens.”
“There are also signs that they might help with side effects. My patients who are on GLP-1s often feel better, and it helps with many of the side effects from their hormone blockers. Interest in this area is growing very quickly. It’s a really hot topic right now, and hopefully we can take advantage of that.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic of weightloss drugs potentially reducing breast cancer risk
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Is it true that weightloss drugs can lower my risk of breast cancer
Yes some recent studies suggest that certain weightloss drugs may reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 30 However this is still being researched and isnt a guaranteed effect for everyone
2 How do these drugs lower cancer risk
The main theory is that these drugs help people lose significant amounts of weight Excess body fat produces hormones that can fuel certain types of breast cancer By reducing body fat the drugs may lower these hormone levels and inflammation which lowers cancer risk
3 Does this mean I should take a weightloss drug just to prevent breast cancer
Not necessarily These drugs are currently prescribed for weight management or type 2 diabetes The cancer risk reduction is considered a potential additional benefit for people who already qualify for the medication You should not take them solely for cancer prevention without a doctors guidance
4 Are we talking about all types of breast cancer
The strongest link seems to be with hormonereceptorpositive breast cancers which are the most common type The effect on other types of breast cancer is less clear
5 If I take the drug am I guaranteed to avoid breast cancer
No A 30 reduction in risk is significant but it is not a 100 guarantee It means your chances are lower but other risk factors still play a major role
AdvancedLevel Questions
6 Which specific weightloss drugs were studied for this benefit
The studies primarily focused on GLP1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and liraglutide Other drugs in the same class may have similar effects but most data currently comes from these two
7 Is the 30 risk reduction from the drug itself or just from the weight loss
This is a key question researchers are still exploring Most evidence points to the benefit coming
