A new study suggests that weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may help slow the spread of certain cancers. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that patients who started using these GLP-1 drugs after a cancer diagnosis were less likely to progress to stage 4, where the cancer spreads to other organs. The effect was most noticeable in lung, liver, breast, and bowel cancers, but the drugs were also linked to slower progression in prostate, kidney, and pancreatic cancers.
The study, led by Dr. Mark Orland, analyzed data from over 12,000 patients with early-stage cancer who took either GLP-1 drugs or other diabetes medications. The findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs may reduce inflammation and fat around tumors, which could limit cancer growth. However, the study did not investigate the exact mechanisms behind these effects.
Experts are calling for larger clinical trials to confirm these findings. The research has not yet been peer-reviewed and will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting.