*Title: Diabetes Medications Show Potential in Reducing Colorectal Cancer Risk, Study Finds* New York, December 8: A recent study suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), a class of medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may play a role in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).
Published in JAMA Oncology, the study reveals that GLP-1 RAs, commonly administered through injections, not only lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity but also demonstrate a significant protective effect against CRC, regardless of the patient’s weight. The findings underscore the potential of GLP-1 RAs as a more effective preventive measure for CRC compared to other anti-diabetic drugs like Metformin or insulin.
Nathan Berger, Professor of Experimental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, notes that this is the first indication of GLP-1 RAs reducing CRC incidence relative to other anti-diabetic agents. The study, based on a national database of over 100 million electronic health records, involved a population-based examination of 1.2 million patients treated with various anti-diabetic agents between 2005 and 2019.
Among those treated with GLP-1 RAs, there was a notable 44% reduction in CRC incidence compared to patients treated with insulin. Similarly, compared to those treated with Metformin, patients on GLP-1 RAs exhibited a 25% reduction in CRC. Given the correlation between diabetes, obesity, and an increased risk of CRC, these findings open doors for further clinical trials. Researchers believe that beyond CRC, GLP-1 RAs may also exhibit promise in preventing other types of cancers associated with diabetes and obesity. “The research is critically important for reducing the incidence of CRC in patients with diabetes, with or without overweight and obesity,” highlighted Professor Nathan Berger.
