Weight loss injections could ”

herald a whole new era

of preventative

cancer

medicine” by slashing risk of obesity-related tumors, experts say.

Research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, found the drugs have a similar effect on cancer risk to bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery, which alters the digestive system to limit food intake, has been shown to reduce the occurrence of obesity-related cancers by 30 to 42%.

Known as GLP-1 medications, weight loss injections imitate the action of a hormone that signals fullness in the body. The conducted study focused on the preventative capabilities of older variants of these drugs, for instance, liraglutide.

Nonetheless, authorities indicate that more modern versions, like semaglutide, lead to even more substantial weight loss, which could enhance their efficacy in staving off cancer.

Professor Mark Lawler, an international cancer researcher expert from Queen’s University Belfast who was not involved with the research, said the study was observational so caution was needed interpreting the results.

He continued, asserting, “These results are very exciting. We already know that bariatric surgery cuts obesity-related cancer risk by about a third.

“These data suggest that target glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) may cut that risk by nearly 50% – an approach that would be transformational in preventing obesity-related cancer.

“Biologically, this makes sense, as targeting GLP-1 dampens down inflammation, one of the hallmarks of cancer.”

Lawler suggested that the research presented “the intriguing possibility that a GLP-1 agonist jab could prevent multiple cancers in the general population, including common cancers like breast and colorectal and difficult to treat cancers like pancreatic and ovarian.”

He added: “This research might introduce an entirely new age of preventive cancer treatment.”

The research initiative was led by experts based in Israel, who analyzed information gathered from 6,356 participants. About half of these subjects received bariatric surgery, whereas the remaining group was put on weight loss medication.

After an average observation period of 7.5 years, 298 patients received diagnoses related to obesity-associated cancers.

The most common forms were postmenopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Patients who had surgery typically lost more weight and had a slightly lower incidence of cancer diagnoses. However, statistical analysis indicated that if patients lost the same amount of weight, the preventative effect seemed to be much stronger for those taking the weight loss drugs.

This suggested that the drugs provided extra protective advantages unrelated to alterations in body weight.

The study’s co-lead author, Professor Dror Dicker from Hasharon Hospital at Rabin Medical Center, suggested that the anti-inflammatory effects were probably beneficial.

He stated, “The new generation of highly effective GLP-1R agonists, which demonstrate superior performance in weight loss, might offer an even bigger benefit by lowering the risk of obesity-linked cancers. However, additional studies must be conducted to ensure that these medications do not elevate the likelihood of developing non-obesity-related cancers.”

Dr. Matthew Harris, who works at the Manchester Cancer Research Center, highlighted the concerning surge in obesity levels and their connection to cancer: “Obesity rates have been climbing significantly worldwide over the last three decades. No nation, especially those in the Western part of the globe, has managed to stop this upward trend. Approximately 4-8% of all cancers can be traced back to obesity.”

He further stated: “The GLP-1 receptor agonists, injectable weight loss medications, give a genuinely promising possible option for cancer prevention in the future.”

“As these medications are becoming more and more widely available, there’s not necessarily time to wait around before we actually undertake a clinical trial to answer this really important question.”