Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Reduce Risk of 10 Obesity-Related Cancers

A new study finds that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may have preventative benefits for those at risk of cancer.

NK-cell destroys a cancer cell. Alpha Tauri 3D Graphics/Shutterstock

Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and other popular weight-loss drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been found to reduce the risk of least 10 obesity-related cancers in patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published July 5 in JAMA Network Open.

“In this study of patients with [Type 2 diabetes] who were cancer free at baseline, taking GLP-1RAs (GLP-1 receptor agonists) compared with insulin was associated with a lower risk of 10 of 13 [obesity-associated cancers],” the researchers wrote.

Risk Reduced Compared to Insulin, Not Metformin

The retrospective study examined the effect GLP-1 receptor agonists had on 13 cancers linked to excess body fat and exacerbated by Type 2 diabetes.