Can Weight-Loss Injections Prevent Cancer? Groundbreaking Study from National Taiwan University Published in Top International Journal Reveals Key Data

Obesity has been proven to be a significant risk factor for multiple types of cancer, and how effective weight management can reduce cancer risk has long been a major focus in the international medical community. A research team from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), collaborating with domestic and international institutions, utilized the large-scale U.S. real-world electronic medical records database (TriNetX) to analyze non-diabetic obese adults. They found that individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists had a significantly lower risk—by 41%—of developing obesity-associated cancers (OACs) compared to those receiving only dietary and exercise counseling. This research has been published in the internationally renowned oncology journal 'Annals of Oncology', providing crucial real-world evidence for the potential clinical value of GLP-1 drugs in cancer prevention, and demonstrating a major breakthrough in combining real-world data (RWD) with advanced statistical methods in cancer prevention research.

The NTUH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology research team collaborated with domestic and international research institutions, using the large U.S. electronic medical records database TriNetX to investigate the association between GLP-1 medications and the risk of obesity-related cancers.

Research Motivation: Can 'Weight-Loss Injections' Prevent Cancer?

In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists—commonly known as 'weight-loss injections' such as semaglutide and tirzepatide—have attracted widespread attention due to their remarkable weight-reduction effects. However, whether these drugs can further reduce cancer risk in obese individuals without diabetes has lacked definitive evidence from large-scale studies. To address this critical clinical question, Dr. Heng-Cheng Hsu and Dr. Ying-Cheng Chiang from the Gynecologic Cancer Division at NTUH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yun-Hao Chang—a Ph.D. candidate from Professor Sheng-Hsuan Lin’s team at Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Institute of Statistics—and the Houston Methodist Research Institute team in the United States leveraged the U.S. TriNetX electronic medical records database to explore the link between GLP-1 drugs and obesity-related cancer incidence. The goal was to provide stronger scientific evidence for cancer prevention strategies in obese populations.

Data from 2014 to 2025 Analyzed Across Over 160,000 Individuals

This study included non-diabetic obese adults with no prior history of cancer, drawn from a nationwide electronic medical records database in the U.S. between 2014 and 2025. Using causal inference methods such as Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW), the researchers precisely matched patients receiving GLP-1 medication with those receiving only diet and exercise counseling. Ultimately, over 160,000 paired cases were analyzed, with an average follow-up period of approximately two years. These rigorous methodologies helped minimize biases inherent in observational studies, elevating the quality of real-world data closer to that of randomized clinical trials. Key findings include:

Significant Reduction in Cancer Risk: Compared to individuals managing weight solely through diet or exercise, patients using GLP-1 drugs showed a substantial 41% reduction in the overall risk of developing 13 types of obesity-related cancers (Hazard Ratio HR 0.59).

Broad Protective Benefits Across Gender, Weight, and Drug Type: Analyses confirmed that the reduced cancer incidence trend was consistent regardless of gender, BMI above or below 40, or the specific GLP-1 drug used (semaglutide or tirzepatide).

Advanced Statistical Methods Enhance Evidence Quality: Dr. Cheng-Hsien Yang, Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NTUH, noted, 'Before large-scale randomized controlled trials are available, our team successfully transformed complex electronic medical records into high-quality 'simulated clinical trials.' This allows vast datasets to speak with causal inference value, offering insights into potential solutions for today’s obesity crisis.'

Physicians: Clinically Significant for High-Risk Populations

Regarding the clinical significance of this study, Dr. Chi-Hao Chen, Director of the Gynecology Division at NTUH, emphasized that endometrial cancer ranks fifth among cancers in Taiwanese women, and many patients have obesity as a risk factor. This study indicates that such medications possess excellent cancer-preventive potential.

Dr. Ying-Cheng Chiang, Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NTUH’s Hsinchu Branch, also stated, 'We aimed to answer a very practical clinical question: For individuals who are simply obese without diabetes, does using weight-loss injections do more than just help them lose weight—can it also prevent cancer? The answer shows a significant association. This study confirms the immense potential of active weight management and novel metabolic drugs in cancer prevention.'

Research Team: Prospective Studies Needed for Further Validation

Dr. Heng-Cheng Hsu, lead author of the study and physician at NTUH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, further pointed out, 'The true value of this study lies in using causal inference models to exclude background confounding factors as much as possible. We found that GLP-1 may not only be a weight-loss drug but could also potentially prevent obesity-related cancers through specific mechanisms, offering enhanced cancer protection for high-risk groups. However, these findings still require validation through prospective studies. This study does not imply a new approved indication for the drug, and patients should always consult with their physicians before use.'

NTUH stated that this research not only demonstrates the strong capabilities of the NTU medical system and international teams in big data analytics but also provides critical scientific evidence for future personalized cancer prevention and global public health policies. The research team hopes to further validate the deeper causal relationships between GLP-1 drugs and reduced cancer risk through follow-up studies, continuing to lead advancements in precision medicine.