Ozempic & Cancer Prevention: $41M Investment Fuels New Research in Canada
A growing body of research suggests that medications initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), may hold promise in cancer prevention and early detection. This emerging field is receiving a significant boost in funding, with , marking a potential turning point in Canadian cancer research investment.
Dr. Steven Chan, a senior scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, is leading a five-year study investigating whether GLP-1s can reduce the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a blood cancer that becomes more prevalent with age. The research, funded with $2 million, will focus on the anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs and their potential to impact mutant blood cells often associated with the early stages of AML. Dr. Chan is collaborating with Stephanie Xie, also a scientist at Princess Margaret, and Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist instrumental in the discovery of GLP-1 medications.
This project is one of 19 cancer prevention and early detection studies set to receive a total of $41 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partner organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the Terry Fox Research Institute, the Cancer Research Society, and BioCanRx. The announcement is expected to be made by Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel at Princess Margaret.
According to Dr. Fei-Fei Liu, scientific director of the Institute of Cancer Research at CIHR and a radiation oncologist at Princess Margaret, this investment represents a significant shift in focus. “We actually believe this could be Canada’s largest single investment completely focused solely on cancer prevention research,” she stated. Traditionally, the majority of cancer research funding has been directed towards treatment rather than prevention.
The funded studies encompass a diverse range of cancer prevention strategies. One study will examine whether a drug used to suppress milk production in new mothers can prevent breast cancer in women carrying the BRCA1 mutation, a genetic predisposition to the disease. Another will investigate the link between ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk. A collaborative project with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development will focus on understanding the biological mechanisms driving early-onset colorectal and pancreatic cancer, which are increasingly diagnosed in younger individuals.
Beyond Dr. Chan’s AML research, two additional studies will specifically explore the potential of GLP-1s in cancer prevention. One will evaluate their impact on pancreatic cancer and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, while the third will examine the broader role of incretin mimetics – a class of diabetes drugs that includes GLP-1s – in preventing cancer development.
The rationale behind investigating GLP-1s for cancer prevention stems from the established link between obesity and diabetes and an increased risk of certain cancers. However, Dr. Liu and Dr. Chan both suggest that the potential benefits of GLP-1s may extend beyond weight loss and blood sugar control. GLP-1 has just completely revolutionized the way that we think about all aspects of diseases,
Dr. Liu explained. There does appear to be a signal suggesting that it could potentially be associated with reduced risk of cancer development. But I think the scientific truth on that still remains to be determined.
Preliminary research, as noted in published literature, hints at mechanisms by which GLP-1s might influence cancer risk independently of their metabolic effects, prompting further investigation into their broader therapeutic potential.
Dr. Chan expressed hope that his research will contribute to a better understanding of these mechanisms and ultimately lead to strategies for preventing age-related cancers like AML. If You’ll see ways to prevent cancers from happening in the first place,
he added, that can really help in decreasing the burden on our health care system.
The increased investment in cancer prevention research signals a proactive approach to combating the disease, shifting the focus from solely treating cancer to actively reducing its incidence and improving long-term health outcomes. While the full extent of GLP-1s’ potential in cancer prevention remains to be seen, the ongoing studies represent a promising step towards a future where cancer is not only treated effectively but also prevented whenever possible.