Boxes of Ozempic and Munjaro, injections of semaglutide and tirzepatide used to treat type 2 diabetes manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Lilly, are seen at the Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, USA on March 29, 2023. (Reuters)
Commonly used breast cancer treatments may make popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic less effective, according to a new study.
Researchers found that weight loss interventions were less successful in breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors than in women without breast cancer who were not taking aromatase inhibitors.
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Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat and prevent recurrence of some types of breast cancer. It may also be used to prevent breast cancer in some women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer.
These drugs block the activity of an enzyme called aromatase that the body uses to make estrogen in the ovaries and other tissues.
Blocking aromatase lowers the amount of estrogen in the body and may stop the growth of cancer cells that need estrogen to grow.
“Weight gain is a common concern among breast cancer survivors,” said Seema Fansa, M.D., principal investigator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, suggesting that aromatase inhibitors may be a risk factor for weight gain. Research has shown. Weight gain and obesity are associated with breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer-related mortality, as well as heart disease and heart-related mortality.
“This is the first study to assess the response to a weight-loss drug in a subgroup of breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors,” said Professor Fansa. “Our results highlight the need to develop better approaches to manage weight gain in patients with a history of breast cancer who are taking aromatase inhibitors. Or, effectively treating obesity would improve breast cancer outcomes, prevent further health complications, and improve the quality of life for these people.”
Weight loss pills are half as effective
The study included 99 participants, 63 of whom had a history of breast cancer and were women taking aromatase inhibitors and weight-loss drugs (liraglutide, semaglutide, or phentermine).
The remaining 36 women had no history of breast cancer and were taking only weight-loss drugs.
Results demonstrated that women in the breast cancer group lost less weight at checkpoints of 3, 6, and 12 months than women without a history of breast cancer. Differences in weight loss rates were notable (3.7 percent vs. 5.6 percent at 3 months, 3.9 percent vs. 9.5 percent at 6 months, and 5.2 percent vs. 10.5 percent at 12 months).
“Our results develop a better approach to managing weight gain in patients with a history of breast cancer who are taking aromatase inhibitors,” said Sima Fansa, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It highlights the need,” he said in a media release. “Preventing weight gain or effectively treating obesity in this group would improve breast cancer outcomes, prevent further health complications, and improve quality of life for these people.”
Weight gain and obesity are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer-related mortality, heart disease and related complications.
Drugs like Ozempic have become world-famous for their rapid weight loss success.
As Al Arabiya English reported earlier this year, a surge in people, including those in the UAE, are heading to clinics, pharmacies and hospitals to get diabetes injection drugs such as Saxenda and Ozempic for weight loss. there is
Interest culminated in TikTok videos and Instagram ads touting the drug as a miracle cure for stubborn fat. The fact that celebrities have gotten their hands on the drug and downsized their dresses a bit has also helped spark interest.
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, and similar drugs such as Wegobee, which were originally born as diabetes drugs and approved by the FDA for obesity in 2021, were so popular that they were in short supply.
Semaglutide contains a hormone-mimicking compound called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. It also slows down emptying of the stomach and suppresses appetite, making you feel full.
This drug has helped people lose up to 15% of their weight. However, in clinical trials, some people complained of side effects such as constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache and diarrhea.
Fansa said the report’s findings underscore the importance of developing improved strategies to manage weight gain in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors. Preventing weight gain and effectively combating obesity will lead to better outcomes in breast cancer treatment, reduce the risk of complications and improve the quality of life for these people.
The researchers presented their findings at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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