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GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Lower Overall Cancer Risk in JAMA Oncology Analysis

Researchers urge longer follow-up to determine whether the association reflects drug effects or weight loss.

Boxes of Ozempic and Mounjaro, semaglutide and tirzepatide injection drugs used for treating type 2 diabetes and made by Novo Nordisk and Lilly, is seen at a Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, U.S. March 29, 2023. REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo
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Hands in blue surgical gloves holding Ozempic injection pen.
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Overview

  • The retrospective study of 86,632 adults with overweight or obesity found a 17% lower adjusted risk of any cancer among GLP-1 users versus matched nonusers (hazard ratio 0.83).
  • Overall cancer incidence was 13.6 vs. 16.4 per 1,000 person-years for GLP-1 users and nonusers, respectively, in the OneFlorida+ health network cohort.
  • Significant protective associations were observed for endometrial cancer (HR 0.75), ovarian cancer (HR 0.53) and meningioma (HR 0.69).
  • A numerically higher kidney cancer risk was seen with GLP-1 therapy (HR 1.38) but did not reach statistical significance, prompting calls for targeted evaluation.
  • Authors highlight the observational design, potential confounding and limited events for some cancers, and they call for longer-term studies and randomized trials to clarify risks, benefits and mechanisms.