Already used to treat diabetes and obesity, drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro could also play a role in the fight against certain cancers. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, a new American study suggests that these treatments could reduce the risk of developing metastases in patients already diagnosed with cancer.
Researchers analyzed the medical data of more than 20.000 patients with various forms of cancer. Approximately half of these patients were receiving medications belonging to the GLP-1 analog family, used to promote weight loss. The results show that these patients were less likely to develop metastatic cancer, particularly in cases of colorectal, liver, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Could GLP-1 revolutionize other areas of medicine?
According to the study authors, the use of these treatments is associated with a reduction of up to 50% in the risk of developing stage 4 cancer over a five-year period. Patients receiving these treatments also appear to have better overall survival than those not receiving these medications.
However, specialists remain cautious. At this stage, it is not yet possible to determine whether this effect is directly linked to the biological action of the drugs on cancer cells or whether it results from a general improvement in the patients' health due to weight loss and better control of risk factors.
This research nevertheless opens up new avenues for exploration. Initially developed to treat diabetes, and subsequently becoming a standard treatment for obesity, GLP-1 analogs are now being studied for their potential effects in several areas, including cancer, osteoarthritis, and certain addictions. Further studies will be needed to confirm these initial findings and better understand the underlying mechanisms.
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