JAMA Oncol

GLP-1 drugs linked to lower overall cancer risk in adults with obesity

August 25, 2025

Study details: This retrospective cohort study used a target trial emulation design with electronic health records from the OneFlorida+ network (2014–2024). It included 86,632 adults with obesity (mean age, 52.4 years; 68.2% female) and no prior cancer history. Participants were matched 1:1 (43,317 GLP-1 RA users vs. 43,315 nonusers) using propensity scores to assess the incidence of 14 cancer types, including 13 obesity-associated cancers.

Results: GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly lower overall cancer incidence (13.6 vs. 16.4 per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.91; P=.002). Notably, reduced risks were observed for endometrial (HR, 0.75), ovarian (HR, 0.53), and meningioma (HR, 0.69) cancers. A marginally nonsignificant increased risk of kidney cancer was noted (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99-1.93; P=.04).

Clinical impact: These findings suggest GLP-1 RAs may confer protective effects against several obesity-associated cancers in adults with obesity. However, the potential elevated risk of kidney cancer warrants further investigation and long-term surveillance.

Source:

Dai H, et al. (2025, August 21). JAMA Oncol. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Cancer Risk in Adults With Obesity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40839273/