New Research Suggests GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic May Reduce the Risk of 10 Types of Cancer

If you’ve found yourself unexpectedly humming the tune “Magic” lately, you’re not alone. Thanks to the catchy commercial for the blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic, the song from the 1970s has made a memorable return. But the connection between Ozempic and this sense of wonder might go beyond diabetes management and weight loss. Ozempic and similar drugs powered by GLP-1 agonists are shaping up to be a powerful cancer prevention tool, too.

What are GLP-1 agonists, and how do they affect cancer risk?

The “magic” we’re talking about isn’t just marketing – it’s rooted in science. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) like Ozempic are drugs that mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps regulate insulin production, digestion and appetite, explains Jill Crandall, MD, chief of the division of endocrinology at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 

These treatments gained popularity for their ability to cause significant weight loss, which also lowers the risk of obesity-associated cancers. 

“When they were first introduced, there wasn’t much thought about their potential cancer benefits,” Dr. Crandall notes. “In fact, there was concern they might increase cancer risk,” which turned out to be largely unfounded.

“These drugs help the body produce more insulin, which controls blood sugar,” she explains. “But they also affect the brain, making you feel fuller longer. Given the connection between obesity and cancers like colon, breast and liver, it’s not surprising that these medications might help prevent them.”

The promise of GLP-1 and Ozempic cancer prevention

It’s no surprise that clinical obesity increases the risk of developing certain cancers. It also leads to worse outcomes for those diagnosed. In fact, studies show being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer. This accounts for 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.

Studies revealing the potential of GLP-1 agonists in reducing cancer risk, especially those cancers linked to obesity, are emerging. However, the exact mechanism by which GLP-1 agonists reduce cancer risk remains unclear. 

“We don’t know if the way these drugs work for diabetes and obesity is the same as how they might work in cancer,” Dr. Crandall says. “Previous studies show that interventions to lower body weight, like bariatric surgery, have reduced cancer risk over time. My guess is that the reduction in cancer risk is a side effect of the weight loss they cause. But there could be another mechanism at play.”

Cancer risk reduction linked to GLP-1, like Ozempic

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology analyzed over a decade of data from more than 1.5 million patients with type 2diabetes. Researchers found that GLP-1 drugs were associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing 10 out of 13 obesity-related cancers. That’s compared to those taking other diabetes medications like insulin or metformin.

Notably, the risk of cancers such as gallbladder cancer, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) was lower by approximately half. 

The study also found a significant decreased risk of ovarian, colorectal, multiple myeloma, esophageal, endometrial and kidney cancers. Importantly, the research indicated that GLP-1 drugs did not increase the overall risk of being diagnosed with cancer. 

GLP-1 (like Ozempic) reduces cancer risk better than bariatric surgery

 

Another new study, presented at an American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, highlighted the striking effectiveness of GLP-1 medications compared to bariatric surgery. While bariatric surgery reduced the risk of obesity-related cancers by 22 percent over 10 years, patients taking GLP-1 medications saw a risk reduction of 39 percent.

A JAMA Oncology letter suggests GLP-1 drugs may also reduce colon cancer risk, even in non-obese individuals. And an analysis in JAMA Network found that GLP-1 agonists may offer protection against cancer for patients with diabetes. 

Research shows mixed results for GLP-1 and gynecologic cancer

The potential of GLP-1 drugs reducing the risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers remains uncertain. Dr. Crandall points out that while the JAMA Oncology study found a 48 percent reduction in ovarian cancer risk among GLP-1 users, this benefit wasn’t seen with breast cancer. 

“Like a lot of things, it’s complicated!” Dr. Crandall says. Weight loss does lower estrogen levels, which may reduce the risk of some cancers like uterine cancer. But this effect isn’t consistent across all cancers. “Not all cancers are driven by estrogen,” she adds, highlighting the need for further research.