Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Andy Gaya was recently invited by The Independent to comment on emerging research suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists (the class of medications behind Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro or ‘skinny jabs’) may be associated with significantly improved survival in people diagnosed with colon cancer.
Dr Gaya was approached as one of the UK’s leading oncologists specialising in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, with more than two decades of experience in precision oncology and cancer research. His clinical practice focuses on complex GI cancer, including colorectal, and he is frequently asked by national media to interpret the findings of new evidence for the general public.
About the study…
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego and published in Cancer Investigation, analysed data from more than 6,800 colon cancer patients. It found that those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had less than half the five-year mortality rate of patients not using these drugs:
- 15.5% mortality in patients on GLP-1 drugs
- 37.1% mortality in those not taking them
The research team suggested several possible mechanisms behind this: reduced inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity or even potential direct anti-tumour effects, such as inhibiting cancer cell growth. However, the authors emphasised that further research is needed to determine whether the survival benefit is a direct pharmacological effect or an indirect result of improved metabolic health, weight loss, and increased physical activity.
Dr Gaya’s expert perspective…
Speaking to The Independent, Dr Gaya described the findings as “highly interesting” but cautioned that they represent early evidence, not definitive proof: “It is complicated to tease out the exact reasons why this might be the case and these are very preliminary findings. This class of drugs can certainly exert a powerful anti-inflammatory effect with their blood sugar control, which makes the environment more difficult for tumour cells to grow in.”
He also noted that weight loss and increased activity, common outcomes for patients using GLP-1 drugs, may themselves contribute to improved immune function and reduced inflammation, both of which are known to influence cancer outcomes.
What does it mean for patients?
Colon cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the UK, with around 44,000 new cases each year. While most diagnoses occur in people over 50, bowel cancer can affect adults of any age. Lifestyle factors, like weight management, physical activity and metabolic health, play an important role in outcomes.
The new study adds to a growing body of research exploring how metabolic therapies might influence cancer biology. As further trials and mechanistic studies emerge, clinicians and researchers will be watching closely to understand whether GLP-1 drugs could one day play a role in improving cancer survival.
