Purdue University researcher John Allen co-authored a study showing GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with a reduction in overall cancer risk. (Purdue University photo/Charles Jischke)
September 10, 2025
A new multi-institutional study co-authored by Purdue University researcher John Allen suggests that a widely used class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with a reduction in overall cancer risk.
GLP-1s, or Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are prescribed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and have recently gained popularity for weight management. According to the study, published in JAMA Oncology, GLP-1 users had a lower risk of developing any of 14 types of cancer, 13 of which are linked with obesity.
The possible protective association was strongest for ovarian cancer, where the risk was 47% lower, meningioma at 31% lower, and endometrial cancer at 25% lower.
The study underscores the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond glycemic control and weight loss, said Allen, who is the Marvin and Melanie Richardson Department Head of Pharmacy Practice and a professor of pharmacy practice within Purdue’s College of Pharmacy. But he also stressed that additional research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
“Not only are these drugs tools for managing weight and blood sugar, but possibly as agents that may reduce cancer risk in individuals with obesity,” Allen said. “While these findings are promising and may signal a new avenue for preventive care, we must stress that causation is not yet established. More research, particularly long-term, randomized trials, is essential before clinical recommendations can be made.”
As a respective cohort study, the research does have limitations. Still, the study’s broad real-world dataset, drawn from the OneFlorida+ clinical research network, enhances its relevance—especially given the growing number of people eligible for GLP-1 therapy.
“More than 137 million individuals in the U.S. are currently eligible for GLP-1 therapies,” Allen said. “That means even modest changes in cancer risk could have substantial public health implications.”
In addition to Allen, the interdisciplinary study was conducted by researchers from Indiana University, the University of Florida, and the Regenstrief Institute.
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Paper
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Cancer Risk in Adults With Obesity
JAMA Oncology
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.2681
