GLP-1 Drugs May Lower Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers in People With Diabetes
Common diabetes medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists may modestly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to new research presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
There was a 7% decrease in obesity-related cancer among patients who used GLP-1 receptor agonists (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98; P = .005). #ASCO25 #Oncology | @ASCO
— CancerNetwork® (@CancerNetwrk) May 26, 2025
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Researchers analyzed the health records of more than 170,000 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity treated across 43 U.S. health systems between 2013 and 2023. They found that those who started GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and dulaglutide (Trulicity) had a 7% lower incidence of obesity-related cancers and an 8% lower all-cause mortality rate compared with those who began treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors, which do not impact weight.
“These findings align with what we know about obesity-related increases in cancer,” said Monica Avila, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center. “It stands to reason that any therapeutic intervention that reverses the presence of obesity would also in turn decrease the adverse health effects associated with it. What is fascinating to see is the time frame within which such effects can be reversed. Within a 10-year interval alone, the resounding impact of lower cancer incidence and lower all-cause mortality can be felt.”
The findings were especially significant for women. Female patients who used GLP-1 drugs had an 8% lower risk of developing obesity-related cancers and a 20% lower all-cause mortality rate. In men, the difference in cancer risk was not statistically significant.
The strongest reductions were seen in colorectal cancer cases. Compared to those taking DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 users had a 16% lower rate of colon cancer and a 28% lower rate of rectal cancer. Researchers noted no increased risk of pancreatic or thyroid cancer — two conditions previously scrutinized in relation to GLP-1 medications.
Monica Avila, MD
“It is fascinating to see the decreased incidence of cancers not only directly caused by obesity but also to see the decline of cancers that have in the past traditionally been associated with variations in diet,” Avila said. “For example, it makes sense that we would see decreases in uterine cancer as we know that many uterine cancers are directly associated with obesity. We know that fat cells have the potential to create higher levels of estrogen that can then circulate and cause changes in the uterine lining.”
Despite the promising results, the authors emphasized that the study was observational and cannot prove cause and effect. They called for randomized clinical trials to confirm the findings and better understand how GLP-1 drugs may impact cancer development.
With the use of GLP-1 medications rising worldwide, researchers say that understanding their potential effects beyond weight and blood sugar control could influence both cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
“Observational studies are the first step in identifying a problem and or a potential solution that can then be validated with interventional studies,” Avila said. “I think the next exciting era will be the use of these GLP-1 medications as a therapeutic intervention for patients who are at risk for or who have already developed cancer. The potential to be able to intervene in the setting of a precancer and thus impact primary prevention and the potential to intervene in the setting of a cancer and thus impact secondary prevention is extremely exciting.”
