GLP-1 medication use was associated with lower mortality among colon cancer patients, according to a study published Nov. 11 in Cancer Investigation.
Researchers from the University of California San Diego used real-world clinical data from the University of California Health Data Warehouse to assess any association between GLP-1s and five-year mortality in 6,871 colon cancer patients.
Here are five things to know from the study:
- Five-year mortality among colon cancer patients using GLP-1s was 15.5% compared to 37.1% for patients who were not on GLP-1s.
- GLP-1 users still showed “significantly lower” mortality risk after researchers adjusted the data for age, body mass index, disease severity and other health factors, according to a Nov. 11 news release from UC San Diego.
- The survival benefit was most pronounced in colon cancer patients with a BMI over 35.
- “Beyond regulating blood sugar, GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce systemic inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss — all factors that can dampen tumor-promoting pathways,” the release said.
- Researchers said further study is needed to determine if the survival benefit can be attributed to a direct anti-cancer effect or an indirect effect from improved metabolic health.
Read the full study here.
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