A new study from UC San Diego has found that GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management, may significantly improve survival rates in patients with colon cancer. The research, which analyzed data from over 6,800 patients, showed that those taking these drugs had a 54% lower risk of death within five years compared to patients who were not using them. The findings, published in the journal Cancer Investigation, highlight the potential of GLP-1 medications to enhance cancer survival, particularly in patients with severe obesity and diabetes.
Lead author Raphael Cuomo, Ph.D., an associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, emphasized that the drugs may help by reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health, and lowering insulin levels—factors that could contribute to better cancer outcomes. “The central message is that GLP-1 medications were associated with substantially lower five-year mortality among patients with colon cancer,” Cuomo stated. “This signal was most pronounced in those with severe obesity, with BMI at or above 35.”
While the study does not prove that GLP-1 drugs cause improved survival, it suggests a strong association. Researchers noted that the drugs may act on tumor cells directly or through systemic anti-inflammatory effects, although this has not yet been confirmed. Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst, praised the study as “very exciting” and pointed out that these drugs are becoming a new standard in treating metabolic issues and reducing inflammation, which is linked to cancer development.
Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges its limitations, including the inability to prove causation and the lack of comprehensive data on dosage and adherence. While the findings offer hope, researchers urge caution and recommend that patients should not assume these drugs are a substitute for proven cancer treatments. Instead, they should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to cancer care, particularly for patients with obesity or diabetes.
Health experts agree that more research is needed to confirm the role of GLP-1 medications in cancer treatment. Dr. Sue Decotiis, a medical weight loss specialist, highlighted that while the drugs are beneficial for managing obesity, their use as an adjunct in cancer treatment is still a topic of ongoing research. Nevertheless, the study underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, optimizing metabolic health, and adhering to established cancer treatments and follow-up care, according to the researchers.