Study will examine whether Ozempic may reduce blood cancer risk

A Toronto-led five-year, $2-million study will test whether Ozempic and related GLP-1 drugs can lower the risk of acute myeloid leukemia; the project is one of 19 cancer prevention studies backed by a $41-million funding package.

Researchers in Toronto are launching a five-year study to test whether Ozempic and related GLP-1 drugs can reduce the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The project is led by Steven Chan at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, with colleagues Stephanie Xie and Daniel Drucker, and has $2 million in new funding. It is one of 19 prevention and early-detection studies supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and partner organizations under a $41-million commitment. Investigators say GLP-1s have anti-inflammatory effects and some preliminary research suggests a possible link to cancer risk, but the scientific truth remains to be determined. Key facts: - The study received $2 million in funding and will run for five years under the leadership of Steven Chan at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. - The research will examine whether GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic), can lower AML risk by affecting inflammation in mutant blood cells. - The project is part of a $41-million funding package announced by CIHR and other funders that supports 19 cancer prevention and early-detection studies across Canada. - Other funded projects include studies on GLP-1s and the risk of pancreatic and postmenopausal breast cancer, investigations into diet and colorectal cancer risk, and prevention research related to BRCA1 and early-onset cancers. - The announcement noted the involvement of researchers linked to the discovery of the GLP-1 drug class and mentioned that generic versions of Ozempic are expected to arrive in Canada. Summary: The funding represents a notable public commitment to cancer prevention research in Canada and will support efforts to determine whether GLP-1 drugs influence the development of age-related blood cancers such as AML. The Toronto-led study will proceed over five years; further results and definitive conclusions are undetermined at this time.