GLP-1 drugs may offer a possible treatment for cancer, according to a single promising study.
GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, such as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, are gaining popularity for their potential in weight loss. However, their significance extends beyond diabetes and obesity treatment, as emerging evidence suggests they may improve survival and reduce cancer progression in certain cancers.
Recent cohort studies have found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated with lower all-cause mortality compared to DPP-4 inhibitors in older adults with type 2 diabetes and cancers such as colorectal, lung, and breast cancer. Although the survival advantage compared with SGLT2 inhibitors was not significant, the consistent benefit versus DPP-4 inhibitors highlights systemic effects of GLP-1RAs that may slow cancer progression via reduced hyperinsulinemia and inflammation. Clinical trials are needed to confirm these benefits directly in cancer survivorship.
Preclinical studies on breast cancer cells show that GLP-1RAs, such as exendin-4, can inhibit cancer cell growth and promote apoptosis, potentially via molecular pathways like cAMP elevation and NF-kB inhibition. Clinically, the weight-loss effects of GLP-1RAs could further contribute to reduced risk and better outcomes in obesity-associated cancers, with lifestyle interventions showing improved relapse-free survival linked to weight loss.
New findings suggest GLP-1RAs might also affect inflammation-driven blood cancers such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), potentially by modulating inflammation and clonal blood stem cell behavior. This expands the scope of GLP-1 compounds into hematologic oncology research.
As a leading developer of GLP-1 receptor agonists, Eli Lilly stands to benefit commercially if these drugs gain approvals or recommendations for oncology indications or supportive cancer care. The potential expansion into cancer treatment markets could significantly drive revenue growth beyond diabetes and obesity markets, which are already substantial.
Eli Lilly's stock, denoted by LLY, trades at a hefty premium of 65 times its trailing earnings. However, its 5-year price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple is 1.2, indicating it may not be that expensive relative to its medium-term growth potential. It would take years of human studies before a GLP-1 drug could potentially obtain approval for use in treating any type of cancer.
One of Eli Lilly's GLP-1 drugs, tirzepatide, has shown promising results in preclinical studies. A recent study found that tirzepatide may reduce the size of breast cancer tumors in mice, and the correlation between weight loss and tumor size reduction was significant. Regulators have already approved tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. If tirzepatide is able to help treat cancer, it could make Eli Lilly's GLP-1 drugs a sales behemoth.
Eli Lilly's sales soared by 45% year over year in the first three months of 2025, reaching $12.7 billion. Zepbound and Mounjaro combined made up $6.2 billion of Eli Lilly's total sales. If tirzepatide racks up more indications and Eli Lilly's already approved drugs reach greater numbers of people, its sales and profits are likely to rise in the years ahead.
Eli Lilly stock could be among the best long-term investments, with potential for growth from tirzepatide and wider use of already approved drugs. This year, Eli Lilly's stock is up a modest 4%, but it could be a strong growth stock in the healthcare sector for the long term.
- The potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, in weight loss has been recognized, but their significance goes beyond diabetes and obesity treatment, also potentially improving survival and reducing cancer progression in certain cancers.
- Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) could lead to lower all-cause mortality compared to DPP-4 inhibitors in older adults with type 2 diabetes and cancers such as colorectal, lung, and breast cancer.
- These systemic effects of GLP-1RAs may slow cancer progression by reducing hyperinsulinemia and inflammation, with clinical trials needed to confirm these benefits directly in cancer survivorship.
- Preclinical studies on breast cancer cells show that GLP-1RAs, like exendin-4, can inhibit cancer cell growth and promote apoptosis, potentially via molecular pathways like cAMP elevation and NF-kB inhibition.
- The weight-loss effects of GLP-1RAs could potentially contribute to reduced risk and better outcomes in obesity-associated cancers, with lifestyle interventions showing improved relapse-free survival linked to weight loss.
- New findings indicate that GLP-1RAs might affect inflammation-driven blood cancers such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), potentially by modulating inflammation and clonal blood stem cell behavior, expanding the scope of GLP-1 compounds into hematologic oncology research.
- As a leading developer of GLP-1 receptor agonists, Eli Lilly stands to commercially benefit if these drugs gain approvals or recommendations for oncology indications or supportive cancer care, potentially driving revenue growth beyond diabetes and obesity markets.
- Eli Lilly's stock, denoted by LLY, trades at a high premium of 65 times its trailing earnings, but its 5-year price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple is 1.2, indicating it may not be overly expensive relative to its medium-term growth potential.
- If Eli Lilly's GLP-1 drug tirzepatide is able to obtain approval for use in treating any type of cancer, it could make Eli Lilly's GLP-1 drugs a sales behemoth.
- Eli Lilly's stock could be among the best long-term investments, with potential for growth from tirzepatide and wider use of already approved drugs, making it a strong growth stock in the healthcare sector for the long term.
