With about 12% of Americans having taken a GLP-1 medication, the amount of real-world data available is eye-boggling. And while leading drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have begun to expand the treatments’ use beyond diabetes and weight loss to cardiovascular events and liver disease, signs point to more possibilities on the horizon.

Many of these extra benefits could result from simply losing weight. But while exact mechanisms aren’t always clear, the biological pathways affected by GLP-1s are legion, leading to off-label effects found in early-stage and survey research including diverse areas like bone fracture and depression.

Now, scientists are looking at connections between GLP-1 use and a reduced cancer risk, as well as possible use in combo oncology treatments. While evidence is still mounting, we spoke to a CRO’s chief scientific officer about the buzz growing in the industry and the research that could shine a new light on the true potential of GLP-1 drugs in cancer.

Thanks for reading.