Colon cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with alarming increases in incidence and mortality among younger adults. Although the exact causes of these increases are unknown, lifestyle, including poor diets, sedentary habits, smoking, and alcohol use, as well as metabolic risk factors, such as obesity, appear to play an important role in the development of the cancer.

Emerging evidence suggests that certain glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may influence cancer mortality,¹ and the results from a new study are adding to that mounting evidence. In the study, a reduced risk of cancer mortality was associated in patients with colorectal cancer receiving the following GLP-1RAs: semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. In the same study, no signficant benefit was seen in patients receiving tirzapeptide and exenetide. The retrospective cohort study comparing the use of GLP-1 RAs in patients with colon cancer and comorbid obesity has found that these patients had a significantly lower risk of mortality, myocardial infarction, sepsis, and the need for mechanical ventilation compared with patients who had not received these drugs. Further longitudinal cohort studies are needed to better understand the associations between GLP-1 RAs and cancer and guide evidence-based clinical practice in this patient population, according to the study authors.

The study by Arya et al, was presented during the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, in San Francisco.¹

Study Methodology

The researchers analyzed data collected from 18,370 participants in TriNetX, a global network of 105 health-care organizations. Adult patients ages 18 and older diagnosed with colon cancer and comorbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30 kg/m2 or higher) were identified, and were then stratified into two cohorts, including 1,986 patients receiving a GLP-1 RA and 16,384 patients who had not received the drug.

The two cohorts were propensity-matched based on age, sex, race, and common comorbidities. The average age of the patients was 68.8 years in the first cohort and 74.3 years in the second. Each cohort included 1,983 patients with similar baseline characteristics and ethnicity distribution after propensity matching. These patients were followed for 5 years to assess outcomes, including overall mortality, myocardial infarction, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, and the need for mechanical ventilation and hemodialysis.

Results

The researchers’ analysis found that over 5 years, patients with colon cancer and obesity (particularly those with BMI over 35 kg/m²) who received a GLP-1 RA had a significantly lower risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR] =0.461, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.401 to 0.532, P-value < .001), myocardial infarction (HR = 0.827, 95% CI = 0.668 to 0.993, P-value = .005), sepsis (risk difference = –3.48%, 95% CI = –4.774 to –2.185, P-value < .001), and need for mechanical ventilation (HR = 0.486, 95% CI = 0.321 to 0.739, P-value = .037).

There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of acute pancreatitis and the need for hemodialysis between the two subgroups.

“Our study revealed that patients with colon cancer and obesity who received [certain] GLP-1 receptor agonists had a significantly lower risk of mortality, myocardial infarction, sepsis, and need for mechanical ventilation. Further longitudinal cohort studies are imperative to better understand these associations and guide evidence-based clinical practice in this population,” concluded the study authors. ■

DISCLOSURE: The study authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

REFERENCE

1. Arya Y, Syal A, Mahadevia H, et al: Real-world outcomes comparing the use of GLP-1 agonists in patients with colon cancer and comorbid obesity. Abstract 83. Presented at the 2026 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium. January 12, 2026.