Ozempic and similar drugs linked to reduced risk of cancers among people with obesity

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-08-22 01:00

International

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People with obesity who take glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) - the class of diabetes and weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Mounjaro - face a lower cancer risk compared to those with obesity who aren't using those medications, according to international research. The team matched just over 40,000 adults with obesity or who were overweight using GLP-1RAs with just over 40,000 non-users with obesity or overweight and monitored for cancer diagnoses over 10 years. Looking at 14 cancers, 13 of which were associated with obesity, the researchers say those taking GLP-1RAs had a small reduction in risk of any of the cancers, with the risk most strongly reduced for endometrial, ovarian and meningioma cancers. They say there was some evidence of an increased risk of kidney cancer among the GLP-1RA cohort which needs further investigation.

Media release

From: JAMA

About The Study: This retrospective cohort study found that taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) was associated with a reduced overall risk of cancer, including lower risks of endometrial, ovarian, and meningioma cancers, among patients with obesity or overweight. However, taking GLP-1RAs may be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer, highlighting the need for longer-term follow-up to clarify the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Oncology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Indiana University School of Medicine, USA

Funder: The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK; R01DK133465).

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