This broad spectrum of effects is significant given the often poor prognosis associated with these cancers.
The study also compared the diabetes medicationmetforminto GLP-1s.
However, it doesnt prove the GLP-1 drug is the reason for lower cancer risks.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
Researchers will have to design randomized clinical trials to prove causality.
Thosani cautioned that health records can sometimes be incomplete or contain inaccuracies.
The patients that are represented in the study are those that had medical encounters.
GLP-1s likely reduce obesity-associated cancer risk because they are so effective at helping people lose fat, Thosani explained.
When we reduce the adipose tissue, were reducing all of this inflammation and cell proliferation.
Those factors help reduce the risk of cancer development, Thosani said.
High levels of insulin can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Taking metformin can reduce insulin resistance, thereby decreasing cancer risk.
The drugs could also make chemotherapy more effective for treating pancreatic cancer.
It could be interesting to see what other factors are at play, Thosani said.
However, these findings are still preliminary, and more research is needed to confirm these benefits.
2024;7(7):e2421305.
