Drugs that mimic GLP-1 hormone have been more effective in reducing the risk of cancer cancer, than bariatric surgery. This conclusion was reached by Israeli scientists based on data analysis of more than 6 thousand patients, according to a new study published in EclinicalMedicine .
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. Modern weight loss preparations, such as Lyraglutide (SaxEnda), Exenatide (Byetta) and Dulaglutide (Trulicity), acting, imitating this hormone. However, as the study showed, their benefit goes far beyond the simple weight loss.
According to the co-author of the study, Yael Wolf Sagi from the Israeli Clinic of the Clalit Health Services, GLP-1 has a direct anticancer effect that is not fully associated with weight loss. These drugs reduce the risk of obesity cancer by 41% more than bariatric surgery, which reduces the risk by 30-42%.
The list of such cancer includes breast cancer in postmenopausal women, liver cancer, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, stomach, as well as colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, meningioma and multiple myeloma.
Researchers analyzed the data of 6356 patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index more than 35 who were either treated with GLP-1 for at least a year or underwent bariatric surgery between 2010 and 2018. Over the 7.5 years of observation in both groups, 148-150 cancer cases were recorded.
The most common was breast cancer, then colorectal and uterine cancer.
"We do not yet fully understand the mechanism of action GLP-1, but it is not exactly limited to weight loss," said Professor Dirr Dicker from Hosharon Hospital in Petakh-Tikva. In his opinion, the anti -inflammatory properties of the drug can play a key role.
The scientist also emphasizes that the new generation of GLP-1 may be even more effective in reducing the risk of cancer, but additional research is needed to ensure that this does not increase the risk of developing other types of oncology.
In conditions where obesity and diabetes have become global challenges for health care, the results of this study can change the approach to cancer prevention. Weight loss remains an important factor in itself, but Drug-1 drug therapy not only controls the weight, but also reduce the risks of life-threatening diseases.
