Obesity is a condition characterized by an excessive amount and/or uneven distribution of body fat that can have detrimental effects on an individual’s health. People who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing various diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and a minimum of 13 types of cancer. Additionally, they have an increased likelihood of premature death from any cause compared to those who maintain a healthy weight.

New research conducted by the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research at Maynooth University has shown that the popular treatment drug for obesity, GLP-1, may have the ability to restore NK cell function in the body, including its ability to kill cancerous cells.

While it is known that individuals with overweight or obesity are at a greater risk of developing many diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and at least 13 types of cancer, it has been difficult to establish a causal link between obesity and cancer due to the potential confounding effects of other factors.

Although observational studies have consistently shown that higher amounts of body fat are associated with an increased risk of several cancers, it is difficult to definitively conclude that obesity causes cancer.

However, the new research provides hope for those who are already taking GLP-1 as a treatment for obesity, as it suggests that this drug may offer additional benefits by restoring the body’s ability to fight cancer.

According to previous research, individuals who suffer from obesity face a greater risk of developing cancer, partially due to the impairment of their immune system’s anticancer cell known as the “Natural Killer (NK)” cell.

However, recent research funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and conducted by Dr. Andrew Hogan and his team at the Lonsdale Health Institute, Maynooth University, has uncovered that Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analogues – a widely used and trusted pharmacological treatment for obesity – can effectively restore the NK cell’s function in the body. This restoration includes the ability to destroy cancerous cells, which could have significant implications for cancer treatment in the future.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 13% of the world’s adult population is suffering from obesity, a disease that has been linked to a higher risk of cancer. In the United States alone, these cancers make up 40% of all diagnosed cases each year.

The new study published in the Obesity Society’s Research Journal also revealed that GLP-1 treatment can restore the cancer-killing effect of natural killer (NK) cells in people with obesity. This effect is separate from the weight loss function of GLP-1, indicating that the treatment directly activates NK cells.

Dr. Andrew E. Hogan, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at Lonsdale Human Health Institute in Maynooth University, expressed enthusiasm for these findings and highlighted the real-world benefits for individuals currently using the drug.

“My team and I are very excited by these new findings in relation to the effects of the GLP-1 treatment on people with obesity and it appears to result in real tangible benefits for those currently on the drug.

However, the study’s positive results have led to an increase in global demand, resulting in a shortage of GLP-1 treatment. Dr. Hogan expressed concern over the shortage, emphasizing the need for control to ensure that as many people as possible can access this beneficial drug to treat obesity.

“I hope this is something that is brought under control to ensure as many people as possible living with obesity can start their own treatment of this beneficial drug.”

“People with obesity can develop a variety of health problems like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea and cancer,” adds lead author Conor de Barra.

“These can have very negative impacts on their quality of life. This research and other promising findings on improvements in cardiovascular health after GLP-1 therapy indicate its potential benefits in addition to weight-loss.”

“We are finally reaching the point where medical treatments for the disease of obesity are being shown to prevent the complications of having obesity,” comments principal investigator Prof Donal O’Shea.

“The current findings represent very positive news for people living with obesity on GLP-1 therapy and suggest the benefits of this family of treatments may extend to a reduction in cancer risk.”

Source: 10.1002/oby.23772

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