On May 28, 2026 Ontada, a McKesson business dedicated to real-world oncology data and insights, will present a real-world observational research study in an oral presentation at the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting examining GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) utilization and overall survival outcomes among patients treated in U.S. community oncology practices.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The study, titled, "GLP 1 receptor agonist utilization and survival outcomes in a large U.S. community oncology cohort," analyzed patients diagnosed with cancer between January 2021 and October 2024, with follow-up through October 2025. Investigators identified 418 patients treated with a GLP-1 receptor agonist and 3,476 non-users, with matching by cancer type and diagnosis year to evaluate overall survival (OS) outcomes.

Key Data Findings

Propensity-score adjusted Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association between GLP1 RA use and overall survival among patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, hepatocellular or renal cancer. After adjustment for confounders including age, BMI, cancer stage and type, GLP‑1 receptor agonist use was significantly associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio 0.66; 95% CI 0.45–0.97; p = 0.0031).

"While GLP-1 therapies are well established for metabolic disease, emerging preclinical and observational data suggest potential anticancer effects, yet large-scale studies investigating this association have been limited," said Jess Paulus, ScD, vice president of Real-World Research at Ontada and presenting author of the study. "As use of these therapies continues to expand, high-quality real-world data are essential to understanding their broader impact. Our findings demonstrate the value of real-world evidence in identifying anticancer signals and helping efficiently guide future research and prioritization of prospective studies."

Study Methodology

This retrospective analysis used data collected between January 2021 and October 2024, with follow‑up through October 2025, and evaluated GLP‑1 receptor agonist use, including dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide. Overall survival was measured from initial cancer diagnosis to death from any cause, with methods applied to address immortal time bias. Among patients who received a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, median age was 63 years, 58% were White, and 57% had a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m². Semaglutide accounted for the majority of prescriptions (55%). By comparison, non‑users had a median age of 68 years, 58% were White, and 28% had BMI ≥30 kg/m². Most GLP‑1 users (74%) initiated therapy after initial cancer diagnosis, of whom 7% initiated after a metastatic diagnosis, with breast (27%) and prostate (13%) cancers representing the most common malignancies among this group.

"At Ontada, our focus is on advancing cancer care by transforming real-world data into meaningful insights," said Christine Davis, president, Ontada. "This research reflects Ontada’s commitment to generating high-quality, real-world evidence that helps advance how cancer is understood and treated. By studying emerging therapies within community oncology settings, we can help surface insights that inform future research and ultimately support better outcomes for patients."

Other Research & Activities at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026

Ontada is a part of McKesson, which has a broad portfolio of oncology and multispecialty solutions and partners that provide research, insights, technologies and services that help to address barriers and improve cancer and multispecialty care. At ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), McKesson-supported businesses including The US Oncology Network, Ontada, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), are part of approximately 171 accepted abstracts and presentations. These are inclusive of oral and poster presentations, educational sessions, late-breaking studies and early-phase studies.

For a comprehensive list of Ontada’s 14 accepted abstracts, visit Ontada’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 site. Additionally, visit the Ontada Booth (#30123) at the McCormick Place Convention Center from May 29 – June 2 to explore the data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and discuss Ontada’s solutions.

Expert Panel on Community Oncology During ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026

Additionally, McKesson will be participating in a thought leadership panel hosted by Endpoints News on June 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET, titled, "Delivering Excellence, Close to Home." Panelists include Jason Hammonds, president of Oncology & Multispecialty for McKesson, John Schuler MD, medical director and radiation oncologist with Compass Oncology, and Dr. Patt. Register and join the panelists as they share their insights and perspectives on what is working today—and what needs to evolve—to support and strengthen community oncology as a foundational component of the cancer care ecosystem.

(Press release, McKesson, MAY 28, 2026, View Source [SID1234666171])