A study has found that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) offer anti-cancer benefits that extend beyond their role in promoting weight loss.
The observational study (COM2-0186-22), presented during the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) taking place in Malaga, Spain between 11-14 May and published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, investigated first-generation GLP-1RAs Victoza (liraglutide) and Byetta (exenatide).
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The study found that GLP1-RAs had a direct effect on reducing obesity-related cancer beyond weight loss, with a 41% lower relative risk compared to bariatric surgery.
Researchers analysed electronic health record data and over a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 298 patients were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer. Of these cases, 150 were from 3,178 surgery patients (5.76 cases per 1,000 person-years) compared with 148 cases from 3,178 patients taking GLP-1RAs (5.64 cases per 1,000 person-years). This comes as bariatric surgery in weight reduction is already known to reduce cancer risk.
The most common cancer was postmenopausal breast cancer (26%), followed by colorectal cancer (16%), and cancer of the uterus (15%).
To assess the comparative effect beyond the extent of weight loss (which mediates the reduction in cancer risk following treatment), the researchers further adjusted the analysis for the percentage of maximal BMI change during follow-up.
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By GlobalDataCo-lead author Dr Yael Wolff Sagy from Clalit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel, said: “Our study found a similar incidence of obesity-related cancer among patients treated with first-generation GLP-1RAs and with bariatric surgery over an average of 8 years follow-up, despite the relative advantage of surgery in maximising weight loss. But accounting for this advantage revealed the direct effect of GLP-1RAs beyond weight loss to be 41% more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer.”
Of the 6,356 study participants, 3,884 (61.1%) were females. At baseline, the mean age was 52.3 years, and the mean BMI was 41.5kg/m².
Both obesity and diabetes are linked with an increased risk for many types of cancer, referred to as obesity-related cancer, including colorectal cancer, corpus uteri cancer, meningioma and ovarian cancer, as well as multiple myeloma.
Investigators are now calling for randomised trials and larger prospective studies to confirm the anti-cancer effects of GLP-1RAs noted in the observational study and explore the underlying mechanisms.
GLP-1RAs are also being investigated in other indications beyond obesity and type 2 diabetes, including Alzheimer’s disease, addictive disorders and psychiatric disorders.
GLP-1RAs have grown massively in recent years following the release of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic in type 2 diabetes and Wegovy in obesity, and Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro in type 2 diabetes and Zepbound in obesity.
GlobalData analysis predicts the global GLP-1RA market will reach $168bn by 2033. Research also predicts Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly will dominate the market, collectively capturing 94% of the total 2030 GLP-1RA sales.
GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.
