Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have garnered significant attention recently, both in the media and in doctors’ offices. Originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1RAs gained popularity for helping with weight loss and reducing the complications associated with other indications like cardiovascular disease. As the number of individuals prescribed GLP-1RAs continues to rise, questions about their association with cancer risk have also emerged.
A recent publication in JAMA Oncology investigated the impact of GLP-1RAs on the incidence of 14 different types of cancer in adults with obesity. The retrospective study included electronic health records of adults eligible for weight management GLP-1RAs who had no history of cancer. The researchers classified 86,632 participants as GLP-1RA users or nonusers. The study matched patients based on clinical and demographic characteristics.
The study cohort included 43,317 users and 43,315 nonusers with an average age of 53.4 years. Most (68.2%) of the cohort were female participants. Cancer incidence appeared lower in the user group compared to the nonuser groups (13.6 versus 16.4 per 1000 person-years). This resulted in a 17% reduction in cancer incidence among GLP-1RA users.
The researchers examined the impact of GLP-1RA use on specific types of cancer in greater detail. The most affected cancer types included endometrial cancer (25% risk reduction), ovarian cancer (43% risk reduction), and meningioma (31% risk reduction). However, the study did uncover a marginal increase in the risk of kidney cancer for GLP-1RA users, which underscores the need for additional studies to tease apart the mechanistic links.
The study demonstrates a notable reduction in the overall risk of cancer for obese individuals taking GLP-1RAs. While this finding sounds exciting, the current study represents a retrospective trial where researchers collect data from patients’ medical records. This study certainly provides the rationale for further investigation of these research questions. Validation of the benefits of GLP-1RAs on cancer incidence in a controlled clinical trial could have significant implications for clinical care.
Sources: NEJM, Diabetes Care, JAMA Oncol