Weight Loss Drugs Have a Direct Impact on Reducing Cancer RiskObesity-related cancer, a term used to classify specific cancer types that develop more frequently in obese patients, accounts for around 4–8% of cancer cases. Research has linked breast, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, and pancreatic cancers to obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs have gained popularity over the past few years for their ability to induce significant weight loss in obese individuals. Many cells throughout the body express GLP-1 receptors, which bind the hormone GLP-1 that regulates blood glucose levels. Additionally, bariatric surgeries—procedures that alter the digestive system—can result in substantial weight loss and reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that bariatric surgery also decreases the incidence of obesity-related cancers. Doctors prescribe GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, and Zepbound, for adults with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other related conditions. The impressive effects of these drugs have led to hypotheses that GLP-1 receptor agonists could potentially lower the risk of obesity-related cancers. A recent study aimed to determine if GLP-1 receptor agonists can reduce the risk of developing obesity-related cancers similarly to bariatric surgery. The findings were published ineClinicalMedicineand presented at the 32nd European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain. The retrospective study compared the incidence of obesity-related cancer among patients treated for obesity and diabetes with either GLP-1 receptor agonists or bariatric surgery. Data from electronic medical records were used to identify 3,178 cancer-free adults with obesity and diabetes who received GLP-1 receptor agonists. The same number of individuals who underwent bariatric surgery were matched based on age, sex, and smoking status. The study considered diagnoses such as multiple myeloma, meningioma, esophageal, stomach, colorectal, liver, bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, uterine, ovarian, kidney, thyroid, and postmenopausal breast cancers. The analysis revealed that the rates of obesity-related cancers were similar in both groups: 150 cases in the bariatric surgery cohort and 148 cases in the GLP-1 receptor agonist cohort. After adjusting for the percentage of maximal BMI change following weight loss, the researchers found that GLP-1 receptor agonists directly reduced the development of obesity-related cancers through a mechanism independent of weight loss. Overall, individuals treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists exhibited approximately a 40% lower risk of developing obesity-related cancer compared to those who underwent bariatric surgery. The authors suggest that larger clinical trials are needed to validate these findings. Further research into the mechanisms underlying these effects could also provide valuable insights into new strategies for mediating obesity-related cancer risk.#J-18808-Ljbffr