Research suggests common type 2 diabetes drug linked to longer survival in women with ovarian cancer

Standard treatments for ovarian cancer, such as chemotherapy and targeted drugs lead to lasting remission for some patients, but recurrence is common and continues to negatively impact overall survival rates. Therefore, researchers are investigating more accessible options, and the possibility of repurposing treatments used for other cancers or conditions, that could improve outcomes.

The new study analysed records from more than 2,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer from 2014 and 2023, comparing those prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) to patients with similar characteristics who did not receive them. GLP-1RAs are best known under brand names such as Ozempic or Wegovy (semaglutide) and are commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Researchers found that GLP-1RA use was associated with a 55% reduced risk of death at the end of the study period. This survival benefit appeared consistent among women also receiving chemotherapy or PARP inhibitors, suggesting GLP-1RA could be added to standard treatments in the future. Benefits were observed regardless of age and in patients with or without obesity. There was, however, no clear advantage with GLP-1RA in patients who had metastatic disease at diagnosis, or those with severe heart or kidney disease.

If confirmed in future studies, these results suggest that a drug class already widely used and generally safe could also help women with ovarian cancer live longer.

This is the first study to evaluate GLP-1RA use in ovarian cancer outcomes at a population level. While the findings are encouraging, this was an observational study, meaning it cannot prove that GLP-1RAs directly improve survival. Patients who received these drugs may have had other health advantages, and details such as cancer stage, access to care, and treatment timing were incomplete. The researchers stress that carefully designed clinical trials are needed to confirm whether GLP-1RAs can be safely and effectively added to ovarian cancer treatment plans.

Reference:

Wang, M., Dong, T., Lucero, M., Wang, X., Zhou, L. & Meng, Y. Association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and ovarian cancer survival: A population-based cohort study. Gynecol. Oncol. (2025).