Mechanistic / preclinical research

Incretin triple agonist retatrutide (LY3437943) alleviates obesity-associated cancer progression.

npj metabolic health and disease · 1 Jan 2025

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Publication details

Authors
Marathe SJ, Grey EW, Bohm MS, Joseph SC, Ramesh AV, Cottam MA, Idrees K, Wellen KE, Hasty AH, Rathmell JC, Makowski L
Journal
npj metabolic health and disease
Publication date
1 Jan 2025
Publication type
Journal Article
Evidence type
Mechanistic / preclinical research
Relevance classification
Primary
PubMed ID
40094000
DOI
10.1038/s44324-025-00054-5
Language
eng
Linked clinical trial
Not reported

Abstract

Medical therapeutics for weight loss are changing the landscape of obesity but impacts on obesity-associated cancer remain unclear. We report that in pre-clinical models with significant retatrutide (RETA, LY3437943)-induced weight loss, pancreatic cancer engraftment was reduced, tumor onset was delayed, and progression was attenuated resulting in a 14-fold reduction in tumor volume compared to only 4-fold reduction in single agonist semaglutide-treated mice. Despite weight re-gain after RETA withdrawal, the anti-tumor benefits of RETA persisted. Remarkably, RETA-induced protection extends to a lung cancer model with 50% reduced tumor engraftment, significantly delayed tumor onset, and mitigated tumor progression, with a 17-fold reduction in tumor volume compared to controls. RETA induced immune reprogramming systemically and in the tumor microenvironment with durable anti-tumor immunity evidenced by elevated circulating IL-6, increased antigen presenting cells, reduced immunosuppressive cells, and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways. In sum, our findings suggest that patients with RETA-mediated weight loss may also benefit from reduced cancer risk and improved outcomes.

Why this paper matters

Editorial analysis pending