A new analysis presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting found that patients with stage I–III colorectal, liver, breast, or lung cancer who used GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs — like semaglutide or tirzepatide — had a 31% to 50% lower risk of progressing to stage IV metastatic disease over five years. Researchers compared GLP-1 users to patients on another diabetes drug class called DPP-4 inhibitors. Experts say the findings are intriguing but not yet enough to recommend GLP-1s as anti-cancer therapy. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm whether the drugs are directly responsible or whether GLP-1 users are simply healthier overall. Still, the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties of these drugs make the biological case plausible.
