A study published in the journal JAMA has highlighted a class of diabetes medications, including the well-known drug Ozempic, for their association with a reduced risk of certain obesity-related cancers.
The research, conducted between 2005 and 2018, compared patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with insulin to those given GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic. The findings indicate a notable reduction in the risk of developing 10 out of 13 types of cancers studied among patients receiving GLP-1 agonists.
The study found that patients treated with GLP-1 agonists had a significantly lower risk of cancers such as kidney, pancreatic, esophageal, ovarian, liver, and colorectal cancer.
However, no significant change in risk was observed for thyroid cancer and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. These results suggest that GLP-1 agonists may play a role in reducing cancer risk in individuals with obesity, a condition already linked to 13 different cancer types.
Rong Xu, one of the study authors, emphasized the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in disrupting the connection between obesity and cancer. This research provides substantial evidence that these medications could be beneficial beyond their primary use for diabetes management.
Among the drugs studied were semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic, and liraglutide, among others, with Ozempic receiving approval in the United States in 2017.
The study’s findings could influence medical practices by encouraging doctors to consider GLP-1 treatments for diabetes patients instead of traditional medications like insulin.
The newer generation of GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, has gained popularity due to their significant weight loss effects, adding another layer of potential health benefits for patients beyond glucose control.
