13 May GLP-1 Medications Associated With Improved Survival and Lower Recurrence Risk in Breast Cancer Patients With Obesity or Diabetes in Observational Study
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Fuemmeler
Bernard F. Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH
Professor and Gordon D. Ginder, MD Chair in Cancer Research
Associate Director of Population Science, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Director of Research, Family Medicine and Population Health
Dr. Tatum
Kristina L. Tatum, PsyD, MS
Instructor
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
School of Public Health
A large population-based analysis of more than 841,000 breast cancer patients across the United States examines whether GLP-1 receptor agonist use is associated with improved survival and lower recurrence risk — with findings that researchers describe as very promising.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1RAs, have been used since 2005 and as the GLP1RAs treatments and delivery methods have improved, their use has markedly increased. Now it is estimated that nearly 1 in 8 US adults report ever using a GLP-1RA, which includes many people who are using them to treat obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. There has been some preclinical data from mouse models to suggest that maybe GLP1RAs have an anticancer effect reducing the effects of obesity on tumor growth or progression. We were interested to understand to what extent GLP1RA use among cancer patients might be associated with cancer outcomes, like length of survival after cancer treatment or the chance of recurrence.
In our large population-based study using an aggregate of de-identified electronic health record data from more than 841,000 patients with breast cancer across the US, we found that GLP-1 RAs use was associated with significantly improved survival and lower recurrence risk among patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Among patients with obesity, GLP-1 RAs use was associated with approximately 65% lower risk of death and a 56% lower risk of recurrence over 10 years compared with nonuse. We also observed substantially improved outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes compared with insulin or metformin.
MedicalResearch.com: What clinical factors or breast cancer markers might be associated with better outcomes?
Response: For this initial paper we did not directly assess differences with respect to clinical factors or tumor types. We did use many of these in the propensity score matching method which is a way of considering these differences in the analyses. The main clinical factor that we examined were breast cancer patients who had obesity and women who had type 2 diabetes as these would be patients who would be prescribed medications for their clinical co-morbid condition. Even when we accounted for other types of clinical problems and tumor type we found that among these patients, those prescribed a GLP-1RA had better outcomes than those prescribed other medications to treat obesity or diabetes. The one caveat to this was that we did not find significant differences when we compared patients with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed GLP-1RAs versus sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These to medications may be working to protect cardio-metabolic functioning, although differently with GLP1-RAs providing greater glycemic control and weight loss whereas SGLT2 providing benefits to cardiometabolic and heart failure outcomes.
Additional studies are needed to examine if these findings change due to clinical factors and tumor types and how different medications might work among these patients.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The biggest takeaway is that GLP-1 RAs medications may be associated with improved survival and lower recurrence risk among patients with breast cancer, beyond their known effects on blood sugar control and weight management. We also think that the findings are very promising findings, but we need to follow this study up with carefully designed and conducted randomized controlled trials to determine clinical recommendations.
For breast cancer patients and survivors who have obesity or diabetes it would be important to discuss the use of GLP-1 RAs with their oncologist and their primary care providers. Careful monitoring by their physician team and a nutritionist seems warranted, as there could be some consequences to rapid weight loss that are not healthy for cancer survivors, such as loss of lean mass. But, overall the use of GLP-1 RAs may hold promise for breast cancer survivors who have other obesity-related health comorbidities that may compromise their overall health.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: We do think that clinical trials are needed to build on these findings and better understand the best approaches for improving cancer-related outcomes among breast cancer patients with chronic conditions. Future research should also examine safety considerations, treatment timing, and individual patient characteristics to help inform clinical decision-making.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: This was an observational study, meaning the findings show associations rather than causation. These medications are not currently cancer treatments, but the results support further research to better understand whether GLP-1RAs are therapies that could eventually play a role in cancer survivorship and supportive care.
MedicalResearch.com: Any disclosures?
Dr. Williford is an employee of TriNetX. Dr. McGuire has received personal fees from Hologic Inc, Kubtec Inc, and Axogen Inc.
Citations:
Tatum KLDahman BStevenson A, et al. Survival and Recurrence With GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Breast Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(5):e2612133. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.12133
Commentary:
Wender RC. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Cancer—The Promise Is Real. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(5):e2612143. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.12143
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Last Updated on May 13, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD