Popular weight-loss drugs may play surprising role in cancer outcomes
Additionally, patients with advanced-stage cancers who are in immunotherapy and taking GLP-1s had lower recurrence rates, he noted.
Based on preclinical laboratory studies, Yendamuri said he believes GLP-1 medications have only a limited direct effect on cancer cells.
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“What we think is happening is that it changes the body’s immune response to cancer cells, and thereby improves its ability to fight cancer cells,” he told Fox News Digital.
The effect may differ depending on the type of cancer, Yendamuri said, because the immune response is more important in some cancers than others.
The effect may differ depending on the type of cancer, an expert said, because the immune response is more important in some cancers than others. (iStock)
“For example, in some cancers like melanoma, we know that the immune response is incredibly important,” he said.
Yendamuri acknowledged that at least some of the cancer benefit likely stems from weight loss.
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“Not every patient who takes GLP-1 receptor agonists responds with a substantial weight loss, so in future trials, it would be interesting to see if the benefit for patients depends on the weight loss,” he said.
“If those patients who have weight loss with GLP-1 receptor agonists have the same cancer benefit as patients who do not have weight loss, that will answer that question.”
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Depending on the outcomes of future trials, the doctor said he is hopeful that GLP-1 drugs could one day be regarded as a preventive mechanism for cancer.
“Not every patient who takes GLP-1 receptor agonists responds with a substantial weight loss, so in future trials, it would be interesting to see if the benefit for patients depends on the weight loss,” the expert said. (iStock)
“More and more, we are realizing that apart from the treatment that you get for cancer, lifestyle modifications – exercise, decreasing weight and now GLP-1 receptor agonists – will all have a role in both enhancing the treatment of cancer as well as preventing second cancers,” he said.
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Yendamuri emphasized the importance of continued funding for the National Cancer Institute, noting that it supports researchers working to advance cancer research and develop new discoveries.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/popular-weight-loss-drugs-play-surprising-role-cancer-outcomes