What are the potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs for cancer patients?

The study suggests GLP-1 drugs may help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and even directly prevent cancer cell growth and trigger cancer cell death, leading to the dramatic survival boost observed in colon cancer patients.

What is the significance of the University of California San Diego study on GLP-1 drugs and colon cancer?

The study's findings are groundbreaking, as they indicate a promising new avenue for using diabetes medications to potentially fight certain types of cancer, specifically colon cancer.

Home / Health / GLP-1 Drugs Slash Colon Cancer Deaths by Over 50%, Study Finds

GLP-1 Drugs Slash Colon Cancer Deaths by Over 50%, Study Finds

Q: How do GLP-1 drugs affect colon cancer patients?

According to the study, colon cancer patients taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro were less than half as likely to die within 5 years compared to those not on the medications.

13 Nov

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Summary

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro cut colon cancer deaths by more than half
15.5% of colon cancer patients on GLP-1 drugs died within 5 years vs. 37.1% not on the drugs
GLP-1 drugs may prevent cancer cell growth and trigger cancer cell death

GLP-1 Drugs Slash Colon Cancer Deaths by Over 50%, Study Finds

According to a study published on November 13, 2025, colon cancer patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro were less than half as likely to die within 5 years compared to those not on the medications. The analysis of over 6,800 colon cancer patients revealed that only 15.5% of those on GLP-1 drugs died within 5 years, in contrast to 37.1% of patients not taking the weight-loss medications.

The findings, published in the journal Cancer Investigation, suggest GLP-1 drugs may help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity, which could explain the link to lower mortality rates. Lead author Raphael Cuomo also noted that lab studies indicate the drugs may directly prevent cancer cell growth and trigger cancer cell death.

However, Cuomo stated that more research is needed to determine whether the survival benefit is a direct effect of the GLP-1 drugs or an indirect result of better metabolic health. Experts say the results are promising and warrant further investigation into the potential cancer-fighting properties of this class of diabetes medications.

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