Exploring The Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Breast Cancer Care

In a special webinar from CancerNetwork^®, Oncology Nursing News^®, CURE^®, and HCPLive^®, a panel spanning multiple disciplines convened to speak about the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) among patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The group covered whether GLP-1 RAs were safe for those with breast cancer and described the appropriate circumstances for care teams to consider them.

The panel was moderated by Neil M. Iyengar, MD, director of survivorship services at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, a clinical member of Winship’s Glenn Family Breast Center, an associate professor and co-director of the Breast Medical Oncology Program in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, and co-editor in chief of the journal ONCOLOGY^®. He was joined by:

• Diana Isaacs, PharmD, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology at the Cleveland Clinic;
• La-Urshalar Brock, MSN, FNP-BC, CNM, an oncology survivorship nurse practitioner at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University;
• Emily M. Beard, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN, an oncology survivorship and nurse navigator at Emory University School of Medicine;
• and Kiana Wooten, a patient advocate of Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

The discussion explored how obesity and metabolic health impact breast cancer risk and recurrence, with Iyengar detailing observational data demonstrating a link between GLP-1 RA use to fewer obesity-related cancers. The panel also discussed a reported weight loss rate of 4% to 5% in patients on endocrine therapy, early signs of lower pathologic complete response rates with chemoimmunotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, and how slower stomach emptying may affect absorption of oral cancer drugs.

Other key topics included navigating conversations related to GLP-1 in survivorship care, especially those on protecting muscle and bone with protein and resistance training. The speakers also highlighted insurance denials, cost, compounded products, and the care team members who should own the GLP-1 conversation with patients.