MALAGA, Spain — A groundbreaking study has revealed that weight-loss injections may significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers, potentially transforming strategies in preventive medicine. Researchers have found that these treatments could nearly halve the risk associated with 13 types of cancers linked to obesity.
Health experts hailed the findings as pivotal, with implications for cancer prevention on a broad scale. Although weight loss generally diminishes cancer risk, this study suggests that medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) offer additional protective benefits beyond mere weight loss. The medications, which include liraglutide (Saxenda), exenatide (Byetta), and dulaglutide (Trulicity), work by mimicking a hormone that controls blood sugar and promotes feelings of fullness.
The study analyzed data from 6,000 individuals without prior cancer histories, comparing outcomes for those who underwent bariatric surgery with those who used GLP-1RAs. While patients who had surgery achieved greater weight loss—around double that of those on medication—the results indicated a comparable reduction in cancer risk, ranging from 30% to 42% for surgical patients, with weight-loss drugs also making a significant impact.
“The enhanced protective effects of GLP-1RAs against cancers likely stem from various mechanisms, including reductions in inflammation,” said Dr. Dror Dicker, a co-lead author from Hasharon Hospital in Israel. He noted that newer generations of GLP-1RAs, expected to be even more effective, may offer added benefits, but further research is necessary to ensure these medications do not pose risks for other types of cancers.
Additionally, a separate study presented at the conference spotlighted the comparative effectiveness of specific weight-loss medications. Patients using Mounjaro reportedly lost about 50% more weight than those taking Wegovy, marking a significant advancement in obesity treatment.
Prof. Mark Lawler from Queen’s University Belfast commented on the study’s implications, noting that while caution is warranted in interpreting observational results, the potential to reduce cancer risk by nearly 50% through targeted therapies is transformative. He emphasized that inflammation is a crucial factor in cancer development, and these findings raise the possibility of preventing various types of cancers.
Another expert, Prof. Jason Halford, underscored the need for further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these drugs in patients newly diagnosed with cancer. He highlighted the importance of weight management in improving outcomes, stating that more cancers are being linked to obesity, warranting urgent exploration of these treatments.
A coalition of 54 international experts urged for prioritization of clinical trials focusing on weight-loss medications as cancer prevention tools. As a result, researchers in the UK, backed by Cancer Research UK, are planning a large-scale clinical trial involving tens of thousands of participants to start within three to five years.
Dr. Matthew Harris from the Manchester Cancer Research Centre expressed optimism about the potential for weight-loss injections to facilitate significant weight reduction at a population level. This could pave the way for unprecedented advancements in addressing obesity-related health concerns, thus reshaping the landscape of preventive care.