GLUCAGON-LIKE peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were associated with significantly lower rates of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in a large real-world analysis of patients receiving cardiotoxic cancer treatments.
Rising Concern Over Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction
CTRCD remains a major complication of modern oncology care, contributing to heart failure, hospitalisation, and mortality. As cancer survival improves, the long-term cardiovascular effects of treatments such as anthracycline chemotherapy have become an increasing clinical concern. Identifying strategies to mitigate this risk is therefore a growing priority.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, widely used in Type 2 diabetes management, have demonstrated cardioprotective effects in previous studies. However, their potential role in reducing CTRCD risk has not been well established.
Real-World Evidence Highlights Protective Association
In this retrospective cohort study, researchers analysed international health records from January 2017–March 2025, comparing patients with cancer who received cardiotoxic therapies with and without GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Propensity score matching was used to ensure comparable baseline characteristics, strengthening the reliability of the findings.
Over a 12-month follow-up period, GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a significantly reduced risk of CTRCD, as well as lower rates of all-cause mortality, hospital admission, atherosclerotic events, thrombotic complications, and overall cardiovascular outcomes.
Benefits Strongest in Key Patient Subgroups
The protective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists were most pronounced in females, younger patients, individuals with excess body weight, and those with Type 2 diabetes.
Notably, benefits were consistent across multiple cancer treatment modalities and were particularly evident in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy, a well-known driver of cardiac toxicity.
Implications and Need for Further Research
While the results are promising, the observational nature of the study means causality cannot be definitively established.
Nevertheless, the findings support further investigation of GLP-1 receptor agonists as a cardioprotective strategy in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Prospective clinical trials will be essential to confirm these associations and determine optimal patient selection and timing of therapy.
As CTRCD continues to challenge long-term cancer outcomes, GLP-1 receptor agonists may represent a valuable addition to emerging cardio-oncology approaches.
Reference
Wu JY et al. A real-world propensity analysis of the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction. Commun Med. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s43856-026-01618-2.
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