Research shows that obesity is linked to worse outcomes from breast cancer, and that weight loss can improve outcomes. Losing weight however, comes with many challenges. In the current study, researchers investigated whether tirzepatide, part of a new class of anti-obesity medications that target the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors, could help.
To do so, they included 16 mice in their research. To begin, the mice were fed a 40% high-fat diet and were kept in a warm environment to induce obesity. At 32 weeks old, they were randomly assigned injections of either tirzepatide or a placebo every two days for 16 weeks. The researchers assessed tumor volumes twice per week.
Ultimately, the anti-obesity drug was found to reduce body weight and body fat by around 20%, a similar rate to that achieved by women who take the drug. The drug also reduced tumor volume when compared to controls.
"Obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, and while it is very preliminary data, our studies in mice suggest that these new anti-obesity drugs may be a way to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk or improve outcomes," said study author Amanda Kucinskas, B.S., a Ph.D. candidate in the labs of Drs. Erin Giles and Kanakadurga Singer at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in a press release.
"While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes,” she added.
Sources: Science Daily
