(NewsNation) — A class of diabetes drug used for weight loss, which includes Ozempic and Wegovy, could offer protection from some cancers, new research has discovered.
The JAMA Oncology study looked at health data from more than 1.6 million patients with Type 2 diabetes over 15 years, analyzing the impact of these drugs (known as GLP-1s or GLP-1RAs), insulin or metformin on developing obesity-associated cancers.
GLP-1 drugs, which help control blood sugar by mimicking the body’s naturally produced insulin, include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Victoza and Saxenda.
There are 13 identified OACs, categorized by the increased risk of cancer when there is excess fat in the body.
Data found GLP-1 drugs greatly reduced the risk of developing 10 of the 13: meningioma and multiple myeloma as well as esophageal, colorectal, endometrial, gall bladder, kidney, liver, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
Since the study was retrospective and observational in nature, it’s unknown whether there is a direct cause and effect between GLP-1 drugs and reduced risk of cancer, or just a relationship. The study acknowledges that weight loss from the drugs could occur, which might contribute to a lower risk of OACs.
The study’s findings join a growing amount of evidence that weight-loss and Type 2 diabetes management drugs may serve medical purposes beyond their intended market use. Roughly 15.5 million U.S. adults use the drugs, according to a May Gallup poll.
“The potential cancer-preventative effects of OACs by GLP-1RAs warrant further long-term studies as well as studies of individual newer and possibly more effective antidiabetic and weight loss agents as well as those with multihormone agonist activities,” the researchers said.