How Weight-Loss Drugs Influence Cancer Risk, According to Science

As more is learned about the health advantages linked to GLP-1 medications, an increasing amount of research is seeking to determine if this widely used weight loss drug may assist in combating one of the top causes of death globally: cancer.

Studies on the impact of GLP-1 drugs on the risk of developing and surviving cancer are still in the early stages, with findings so far showing inconsistent results. Although some research indicates the medication might be associated with a reduced likelihood of certain cancers and improved outcomes following diagnosis, scientists have also discoveredminimal impact on other categoriesIn certain instances, the drugs have been associated with a minor rise in risk. Specialists also pointed out that the medication’s possible long-term impacts remain not fully comprehended.

“We are unaware of all the positive outcomes, but we also don’t know all the negative ones,” stated Sherry Shen, a medical oncologist who focuses on breast cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

What is the most recent research indicating

A major study involving over 1.6 million individuals with Type 2 diabetes revealed that those using GLP-1s experienced “significant risk reduction” in 10 of 13 obesity-related cancers when compared to those using insulin, as reported bypeer-reviewed resultsreleased in 2024 in JAMA Network Open.

Another large-scale studyReleased in August 2025, the study focused on adults with obesity and discovered that individuals using the weight loss medication had a “significant link to a lower chance of developing any cancer.” The researchers noted that the decreased risk was especially evident for endometrial, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), and ovarian cancers. However, they also noted a “non-significant rise in risk” for kidney cancer among those taking the medications.

Overall, it offers a somewhat protective effect,” stated Jiang Bian, the chief research information officer at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, who headed the research team that examined adults with obesity. “However, when looking at specific types of cancer or various populations, the protective or harmful effects can vary.

A review Out of 48 randomized controlled trials, it was noted that GLP-1s “might have minimal or no impact on the risk of obesity-related cancers,” according to researchers in a December study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The research examined thyroid, pancreatic, colorectal, gastric, esophageal, liver, gallbladder, breast, ovarian, endometrial, and kidney cancers, along with multiple myeloma and meningioma.

However, recent research indicates that GLP-1s may also enhance survival rates for certain individuals with a cancer diagnosis.

Among elderly individuals diagnosed with cancer and Type 2 diabetes, the drug was linked to reduced mortality, as reported byfindings publishedin July 2025 in the JAMA Network Open.

“That’s somewhat created a new path for us to investigate the application of GLP-1 in this particular group,” said Serena Guo, a professor at Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, who was one of the study’s co-authors.

The medications might also benefit individuals diagnosed with colon cancer. A research project involving over 6,800 participants revealed that those taking GLP-1s had a mortality rate less than half of those who did not use them, as reported byresults published in Novemberin the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Investigation.

The results remained stable when researchers accounted for demographics, other health conditions, and the extent of the patient’s colon cancer diagnosis, stated Raphael Cuomo, a professor and cancer researcher at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and the study’s lead author. He pointed out that individuals who were overweight and using GLP-1 medications seemed to experience “significantly greater” reductions in mortality rates compared to those with a normal weight.

In this instance, we’re observing that these medications are demonstrating a potentially significant impact,” he stated. “However, it is essential to confirm these findings through randomized trials to determine definitively whether they are producing anti-cancer effects or if other factors are involved. Still, this represents encouraging evidence suggesting these drugs could be highly advantageous for patients suffering from colon cancer.

How GLP-1 drugs may assist in cancer treatment

The capacity of GLP-1 drugs, designed to manage Type 2 diabetes, to assist individuals in losing weight is a potential way these medications might offer advantages for cancer, according to specialists. Being overweight is a significant risk factor for various types of cancer.

There are numerous ways that obesity, in general, increases the risk of cancer,” Shen stated. If you can change your level of body fat, also referred to as adipose tissue, “then in theory, you should be affecting your cancer risk.

GLP-1s might also be beneficial by lowering the risk of diabetes and reducing inflammation, which can play a role in cancer development, she mentioned.

Studies are continuing to gain a clearer understanding of how GLP-1 medications may be affecting individuals with cancer.

For example, researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston are examining how the drug impacts liposarcoma, a form of cancer that originates in fat cells.

“This uncommon form of cancer, known as liposarcoma, offers a special chance to examine how GLP-1 medications affect cancer cells directly,” stated Erica Pimenta, a physician-scientist spearheading research on whether these weight-loss treatments might provide a new approach for addressing liposarcoma.

Initial research indicated that when GLP-1 medications were given to tumor cells, scientists observed signs that the cells were “activating or reprogramming to act more like a typical fat cell,” according to Pimenta. She noted that there is curiosity about whether this approach in liposarcoma could be relevant to other types of cancer.

Meanwhile, specialists advised individuals to avoid hastily beginning GLP-1 treatments without first discussing them with medical professionals.

The choice to begin one of these programs isn’t something that should be made without careful consideration,” Cuomo stated. “They are long-term commitments, costly, and may come with adverse effects.

It’s also crucial to remember that taking the medication should becombined with healthy lifestyle practicesfor example, maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity.

“These GLP-1s are not temporary solutions for all issues,” Shen said.