As the obesity epidemic continues to affect the U.S. healthcare system, a new commentary discusses GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, which have become widely used in obesity treatment. In a recent article published by UT Health Science Center, Professor Liza Makowski, PhD, from the Center for Cancer Research, highlights the importance of studying the potential effects of these drugs on cancer risk.
In the report, Dr. Makowski and her colleagues examine the long-term effects of GLP-1 drugs on metabolic health and cancer risk, and how clinicians can best combine these treatments with lifestyle guidance. “We know that weight loss through bariatric surgery can reduce cancer risk, but it’s too soon to know if we will also see these anti-cancer benefits with new GLP drugs,” Dr. Makowski told UT Health Science Center. The review, published in Nature Reviews Cancer, highlights UT Health Science Center’s role in this global discussion and underscores the relevance of these issues for people in Tennessee, where cancer death rates are high.
Understanding the long-term implications of these medications extends beyond academic interest and is a significant public health concern. Dr. Makowski emphasized that the primary goal is to determine whether GLP-1 drugs can lower a patient’s risk of developing cancer and enhance existing treatments.
Makowski has spent much of her career studying the link between obesity and cancer. With the rise of GLP-1 drugs, her research has focused on how these medications may affect metabolic changes and cancer risk. She stresses that medication should be one part of a broader lifestyle approach that includes diet and exercise, and encourages healthcare providers to ensure patients understand the importance of combining medication with proper nutrition and physical activity.
Looking ahead, Dr. Makowski is focusing on long-term studies to better understand the effects of GLP-1 drugs on cancer risk and outcomes. Her research involves collaboration with teams from the University of South Carolina and the University of Utah. Through her work at the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research, Dr. Makowski continues to contribute to cancer research while engaging with communities in West Tennessee to advance understanding and address local health challenges.
