GLP-1 medications have received significant attention for their effectiveness in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. More recently, researchers have begun exploring another question: Could these medications also affect cancer risk?
While some studies suggest that GLP-1 medications may be associated with lower rates of certain cancers, researchers are still working to understand whether those benefits are directly caused by the medications, weight loss or both. Timothy Rebbeck, PhD, professor of cancer prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explains what researchers know so far and where the science is still evolving.
What are GLP-1 Medications and How Do They Work?
GLP-1 medications were originally developed to help treat type 2 diabetes and are now also prescribed for obesity and weight management.
“These drugs inhibit the signals that make you want to eat,” says Rebbeck.
By reducing appetite, GLP-1 medications can help people lose weight and improve metabolic health. While they have been effective for many patients, they also have side effects. Rebbeck notes that weight loss can be accompanied by muscle loss, highlighting the importance of discussing treatment with a healthcare provider.
Why are Researchers Studying GLP-1 Medications and Cancer Risk?
One reason researchers have become interested in GLP-1 medications and cancer is that obesity is a well-established risk factor for many cancers.
“Obesity is one of the leading causes of cancer,” says Rebbeck.
Research has shown that obesity is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal, endometrial, kidney, and liver cancers. Because GLP-1 medications can help reduce obesity, researchers are investigating whether they may also help lower cancer risk.
“If you lost weight in another way, your cancer risk should also decline,” Rebbeck explains.
Researchers are also studying whether GLP-1 medications may influence inflammation, hormones or other biological processes that could affect cancer development.
Can GLP-1 Medication Lower the Risk of Cancer?
Several studies have examined cancer rates among people who take GLP-1 medications compared with people who do not. Many of these studies suggest that GLP-1 use may be associated with lower rates of some obesity-related cancers.
However, Rebbeck emphasizes that the current evidence has important limitations.
“We don’t have the definitive kinds of data you want,” he says.
Most studies conducted so far have been observational, meaning researchers look at health outcomes in large groups of people rather than assigning treatments in randomized clinical trials.
“The gold standard studies have not been done yet or have not been reported yet,” says Rebbeck.
As a result, researchers cannot yet say with certainty whether GLP-1 medications directly reduce cancer risk or how large any potential benefit might be.
Should People Take GLP-1 Medications to Reduce Cancer Risk?
According to Rebbeck, the answer is no.
“Right now, we’re using GLP-1s to reduce diabetes and obesity, not to reduce cancer risk,” he says.
While the research is promising, there is currently not enough evidence to prescribe GLP-1 medications solely for cancer prevention. Researchers are still working to determine whether any observed reductions in cancer risk are due to weight loss, direct effects of the medications, or a combination of both.
“I don’t think we’re there yet,” Rebbeck says.
What Research Is Still Needed on GLP-1 Medications and Cancer?
One challenge is that cancer develops over many years, meaning researchers must follow people for long periods of time to understand how these medications affect cancer risk.
Researchers continue to study the relationship between GLP-1 medications, obesity, and cancer outcomes, but definitive answers may take time. Future studies will help clarify whether these medications have a role in cancer prevention beyond their current use in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.
What Should Patients Know About GLP-1 Medication and Cancer Risk?
While GLP-1 medications are generating excitement among researchers and patients, Rebbeck encourages people to keep the bigger picture in mind.
“You don’t have to take a GLP-1 in order to reduce your cancer risk,” he says, “Keep living a healthy lifestyle, and that’s going to be your best bet.”
For now, researchers remain optimistic about the potential of GLP-1 medications, but more research is needed before they can be recommended as a tool for cancer prevention.
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