A study published February 10 in JAMA Network Open found that women with endometrial hyperplasia or benign uterine pathology who were treated with GLP-1 therapy plus progestins had a 66% lower risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those treated with progestins alone. Researchers analyzed TriNetX data spanning 2005–2022 to evaluate cancer and hysterectomy outcomes across multiple treatment pathways.
Here are five important takeaways:
- Four treatment pathways were evaluated: GLP-1 + progestins, metformin + progestins, progestins alone, and triple therapy (GLP-1 + metformin + progestins).
- Large study population: 18,414 women received GLP-1 + progestins, compared to 426,406 treated with progestins alone.
- Significant cancer risk reduction: GLP-1 + progestin therapy was associated with a 66% lower endometrial cancer risk — consistent across BMI, age, baseline risk, and route of progestin administration.
- Stronger outcomes vs. metformin combinations: GLP-1 + progestins showed a 70% lower cancer risk compared to metformin + progestins.
- Triple therapy and surgical outcomes: GLP-1 + metformin + progestins was associated with a 63% lower cancer risk compared to metformin + progestins and 56% lower risk compared to progestins alone. Additionally, GLP-1 + progestins reduced hysterectomy risk by 53% at two years and 41% at five years.
Providers should review the full study (linked below) to better understand patient selection, study limitations, and potential implications for treatment planning.
Resource: Another win for GLP-1s and cancer risk: 5 study notes