Drugs used to treat diabetes and help with weight loss — called GLP-1 receptor agonists — are getting a lot of attention these days. These medications work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps you feel full, which can lead to weight loss and better blood sugar control. They are commonly prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and newer versions even come in pill form instead of injections.
A New Question: Could there be other uses for GLP-1 medicines?
George Washington University medical student Sam Kwon had just finished reading an article about the benefits of GLP-1 drugs on kidney function. He wondered, if these drugs help the kidneys, could they also help people with diabetes better recover from kidney cancer surgery?
There wasn’t much research on this topic, so Kwon and his team decided to investigate.
What the Study Looked At
Working under the guidance of mentor Dr. Michael Whalen, the team analyzed data from a large global health database. They studied about 10,000 patients who had both kidney cancer and type 2 diabetes between 2005 and 2025.
They compared two groups: patients taking GLP-1 medications and those not taking them. To ensure the groups were comparable, the team matched each patient taking GLP-1 medications to a patient not taking these medications, based on similar age, sex, and other factors.
What The Study Found
Patients taking GLP-1 drugs had:
- Fewer complications after kidney surgery
- Less kidney damage
- Fewer heart rhythm problems
- Fewer hospital readmissions
Even more surprising: Patients taking GLP-1 drugs lived longer when followed up 2–3 years after surgery than patients not taking these drugs.
Why This Matters
These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs might do more than just control blood sugar — they might help people recover better from kidney cancer surgery and live longer. As these drugs become more common, understanding how they affect patients with other health conditions will be important for helping them survive as long as possible and with the fewest health problems.
What’s Next?
This study examined existing patient data, which can show patterns—but not prove cause and effect. The scientific community still needs to know whether GLP-1 drugs can help people live longer after kidney cancer surgery, or whether there are other factors not included in the model tested in this study. For example, factors such as body weight, other medications, and lifestyle factors could be important in understanding why the investigators observed what they did in this study.
Future studies, especially clinical trials, will be needed to get clearer answers before doctors know how best to use this information.
About the Researchers
Sam Kwon is a third-year medical student interested in cancers of the urinary system. After working closely with patients and surgeons, he hopes to help improve outcomes for people with kidney and other urologic cancers.
Michael Whalen, MD, is an Associate Professor of Urology, Chief of Urologic Oncology, and Director of the Genitourinary Multidisciplinary Clinic at the George Washington University.
Acknowledgement
The Gill Fellowship, a George Washington University program that provides support to first-year medical students conducting research under the guidance of faculty in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, supported this work.
Reference
Kwon et al. GLP-1RA use improves outcomes post partial nephrectomy in T2DM patients with RCC: A TriNetX study. BJUI Compass. 2026 Feb 2;7(2):e70169. doi: 10.1002/bco2.70169
