by Annette Pinder

According to KFF News, new research suggests that patients with colon cancer who have a history of treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may have a significantly higher 5-year survival rate than those who do not. The study, reported in MedPage Today by Charles Bankhead, found that the 5-year mortality rate was approximately 15.5% among GLP-1 users compared to 37.1% for non-users, which is more than double.

GLP-1 agonists are drugs usually used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes by mimicking a hormone that controls appetite and blood sugar. Their rise has been widely discussed in weight management, but this new data also suggests they may have potential cancer-related benefits.

KFF News reports that this survival benefit was mainly seen in patients with a body-mass index (BMI) over 35, indicating that the protective effect might be related to the metabolic and weight-related changes associated with GLP-1 use. Although the reason for this is still being researched, scientists believe it involves reduced inflammation, better metabolic health, and the direct influence on tumor biology.

Still, experts warn that the findings are observational, meaning they show a connection rather than direct proof of cause and effect. This indicates that more controlled clinical trials are needed to verify whether GLP-1 therapies could become part of standard supportive care in colon cancer treatment.

Seeing this evidence of a link between metabolic health and cancer survival is promising. Patients with colon cancer and high BMI might want to talk with their oncologists and endocrinologists about whether GLP-1 therapy could be suitable. However, it’s important to understand that the decision to use this therapy should be personalized, considering factors like cancer stage, treatment history, and other metabolic conditions.

Learn more at https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/coloncancer/118528.