GLP-1 drugs linked to lower cancer risk in adults without diabetes

Clinical Takeaway: In obese adults without diabetes, GLP-1 RA therapy was associated with substantially lower rates of obesity-related cancers over 2 years, although the observational findings don’t establish causation and should not yet drive prescribing decisions solely for cancer prevention.

As use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) expands rapidly for obesity treatment, emerging evidence suggests these agents may offer benefits beyond weight loss, potentially lowering the risk of obesity-related cancers in a population increasingly affected by these malignancies.

In a retrospective analysis of US electronic health records, investigators evaluated 229,467 adults with obesity but no diabetes, including 86,422 patients prescribed semaglutide or tirzepatide and 143,045 managed with diet and exercise counseling. After propensity-score matching, 161,796 patients (80,899 per group) were followed for up to 2 years.

GLP-1 RA use was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing obesity-associated cancers compared with diet and exercise alone. The benefit appeared particularly pronounced in men, who experienced nearly a 70% reduction in cancer risk. Among gynecologic malignancies, endometrial cancer incidence was reduced by 58%, one of the largest site-specific effects observed.

Risk reductions varied across patient groups. White patients experienced an approximately 50% lower risk of obesity-related cancers, whereas a similar association wasn’t observed among Black patients. All GLP-1 RA formulations were associated with lower cancer incidence, with the greatest reductions seen among tirzepatide users.

“Our study found that over an average follow-up of two years, GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly lower incidence of cancers directly fuelled by excess body weight,” said senior author Dr. Aparna Kamat. “What this analysis of more than 229,000 patients tells us is that their impact may reach further and transform how we think about cancer prevention.”

Investigators cautioned that the study was observational and limited by its relatively short follow-up. However, they noted that the findings provide an important rationale for prospective trials evaluating GLP-1 RAs as potential cancer-prevention agents in obesity.

Source: Hsu AHC, et al. (2026, June 7). Ann Oncol. GLP-1 receptor agonist use and cancer risk in obese nondiabetic adults