New research suggests that GLP-1 weight-loss medications could significantly reduce the risk of cancer progression, with patients taking the drugs found to be less likely to develop advanced-stage disease.
The study, which involved more than 12,000 cancer patients, found that individuals with breast, lung, bowel and liver cancers who used GLP-1 medications were between 38 and 50 percent less likely to see their disease progress to stage four compared to those who did not take the drugs.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, where researchers highlighted growing evidence that weight-loss medications may have benefits beyond obesity and diabetes treatment.
According to a report by graphic.com.gh on June 3, 2026, the research was led by the Cleveland Clinic and focused on the impact of GLP-1 drugs on cancer progression.
Researchers said the results suggest the medications could potentially complement existing cancer treatments by helping to slow the spread of the disease.
The study was one of several presented at the conference examining the relationship between GLP-1 medications and cancer outcomes.
In another analysis involving 110,000 women aged between 45 and 80, researchers found that women who used GLP-1 medications were 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not.
The findings were presented by Dr Elizabeth McDonald, Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and breast radiologist at the Abramson Cancer Center.
“While our study was observational and does not definitively confirm an association between GLP-1 medications and reduced breast cancer incidence, it does add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that it’s worth investigating these weight-loss drugs as potential cancer prevention tools,” she said.
Experts believe the medications may help reduce cancer risk through several biological mechanisms. GLP-1 drugs are known to reduce systemic inflammation and influence metabolic and epigenetic pathways that may inhibit tumour growth.
According to Dr McDonald, the medications affect multiple pathways associated with cancer development.
“GLP-1 medications are intriguing from a cancer research perspective because they weren’t designed for cancer therapy, but they do affect many different targets and pathways associated with cancer development, so we’re eager to study them in this context,” she added.
A separate study involving 27,000 breast cancer patients also found that combining GLP-1 medications with standard treatment was associated with a 30 percent reduction in the risk of death.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Marcin Chwistek, Director of the Supportive Oncology and Palliative Care Programme at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, said the drugs have long shown promise beyond their original purpose.
“GLP-1 receptor agonists have never been just glucose-lowering drugs. Their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties have long suggested broader effects,” he said.
Despite the encouraging findings, researchers cautioned that further studies are needed to determine whether the observed benefits are directly linked to the medications or are largely the result of weight loss.
Dr Eleonora Teplinsky, Head of Breast and Gynaecologic Medical Oncology at the Valley Health System, said there is growing evidence that the drugs influence cancer risk and recurrence, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
“I think there is enough data to show there is clearly some impact on either cancer risk or the risk of recurrence, but we haven’t yet defined it exactly,” she said.
She added that some patients taking GLP-1 medications have also reported improvements in treatment-related side effects.
“My patients who are on GLP-1s often feel better and it helps with a lot of the side-effects from their hormone blockers. Interest in this area is climbing exponentially. It’s a very hot topic right now and hopefully we can capitalise on that,” she stated.
