07 Dec Case Western Study Finds GLP-1 Drugs Reduced Incidence of Colorectal Cancer
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Prof. Nathan Berger
Nathan A. Berger, M.D.
Distinguished University ProfessorHanna-Payne Professor of Experimental MedicineProfessor of Medicine, Biochemistry, Oncology and GeneticsDirector, Center for Science, Health and SocietyCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Prof. Rong Xu
Rong Xu, PhD
Professor, Biomedical Informatics
Director, Center for Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: 75% of the US Population has overweight or obesity and 15% has Type 2 Diabetes.
Both overweight/obesity and diabetes promote increased incidence and worse prognosis of colorectal cancer.
The new GLP1RA drug class are rapidly becoming the most effective treatment for both diabetes and overweight/obesity.
By controlling diabetes and overweight/obesity, we hypothesized that the GLP1RAs might be effective at reducing incidence of colorectal cancer.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Using a large population based cohort in the US, our study showed that treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes with GLP1RAs, compared to other antidiabetic agents, significantly reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer.The preventive effect occurred in male and female patients, in young and old, and in patients with and without overweight/obesity.
MedicalResearch.com: How long on GLP1RAs to decrease risk?
Response: Our retrospective population based study evaluated patients on GLP1RAs over a 15 year period. The longterm followup is precisely the value of this type of study. It now provides the basis to conduct a randomized prospective clinical trial to answer the question about how long it takes to derive a preventive effect. However, since colorectal cancer develops over extended time periods, potentially taking more than 10 years, we hypothesize that long term and probably sustained utilization of the GLP1RAs will be required to realize optimal and continued preventive effects.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Compared to other antidiabetic agents, GLP1RAs control diabetes, promote weight loss, have cardiovascular benefits, and now we have shown, they reduce incidence of colorectal cancer.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: We are working intensively to evaluate cancer preventive effects of GLP1RAs on other obesity and diabetes associated cancers. Studies are now needed to fully explore mechanisms of cancer prevention and to perform randomized prospective clinical trials
Disclosures: Professor Rong Xu and I are both members of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University.
We have no other disclosures
Citation: Wang L, Wang W, Kaelber DC, Xu R, Berger NA. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Drug-Naive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, With and Without Overweight/Obesity. JAMA Oncol. Published online December 07, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.5573
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition.
Some links may be sponsored. Products are not endorsed.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Marie Benz MD FAAD