NTU Finds GLP-1 Drugs Slash Cancer Risk

As obesity continues to be a major risk factor for various malignancies, integrating innovative medical approaches has become crucial for public health. A multinational research team led by National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital recently achieved a significant breakthrough, publishing their findings in the top-tier oncology journal Annals of Oncology. The study reveals that non-diabetic obese adults using GLP-1 receptor agonists—commonly known as weight-loss injections like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide—experience a remarkable 41% reduction in the risk of developing obesity-associated cancers (OACs) compared to those receiving only diet and exercise counseling.

The research's advancement is anchored in a comprehensive analysis using the TriNetX global health research network. Spearheaded by Dr. Heng-Cheng Hsu from NTU Hospital and Dr. Ying-Cheng Chiang from the Hsinchu NTU Branch, in collaboration with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Houston Methodist Hospital, the team analyzed over 160,000 matched individuals from 2014 to 2025. By employing advanced statistical models like Propensity Score Matching (PSM), the researchers successfully transformed complex electronic medical records into a high-quality "emulated clinical trial." Their findings demonstrated broad protective benefits against 13 types of cancers, regardless of gender, a BMI over 40, or the specific GLP-1 drug used.

Looking toward the future of preventive care, this breakthrough holds profound implications, particularly for highly obesity-linked diseases such as endometrial cancer. While the study highlights the massive cancer-preventive potential of weight management in non-diabetic populations, researchers caution that clinical evaluation is still required, as these drugs do not yet have an official indication for cancer prevention. By leveraging real-world data and advanced biostatistics, NTU continues to provide critical scientific evidence to address complex medical challenges, establishing a solid foundation for future precision medicine and public health policies.