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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · mouse · 2025

16 results

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

Marathe SJ, Grey EW, Bohm MS, Joseph SC, Ramesh AV, Cottam MA, Idrees K, Wellen KE, Hasty AH, Rathmell JC, Makowski L

npj metabolic health and disease14 Mar 2025Cited by 8 (Europe PMC)

Summary

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.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study16

16 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical cancer models, retatrutide caused significant weight loss.

    In plain wordsIn mice with cancer, retatrutide treatment led to clear weight loss.

    Outcome
    DecreaseBody weight loss
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    in pre-clinical models with significant retatrutide (RETA, LY3437943)-induced weight loss
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical models with retatrutide-induced weight loss, pancreatic cancer engraftment was reduced.

    In plain wordsIn mice with retatrutide-induced weight loss, fewer pancreatic cancer cells took hold.

    Outcome
    DecreasePancreatic cancer engraftment
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical models with retatrutide-induced weight loss, pancreatic tumor onset was delayed.

    In plain wordsIn mice with retatrutide-induced weight loss, pancreatic tumours appeared later.

    Outcome
    IncreaseTime to pancreatic tumor onset
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical models with retatrutide-induced weight loss, pancreatic tumor progression was attenuated.

    In plain wordsIn mice with retatrutide-induced weight loss, pancreatic tumours grew more slowly.

    Outcome
    DecreasePancreatic tumor progression
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical pancreatic cancer models, retatrutide gave a 14-fold reduction in tumor volume, compared with a 4-fold reduction with semaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn mice with pancreatic cancer, retatrutide cut tumour volume 14-fold, compared with 4-fold for semaglutide.

    Outcome
    DecreasePancreatic tumor volume
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Semaglutide-treated mice
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Tumor volume reduction
    14 fold
    retatrutide, pancreatic cancer model

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical models, the anti-tumor benefits of retatrutide persisted after withdrawal despite weight re-gain.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical models, the anti-tumour benefits of retatrutide lasted after treatment stopped, even though weight came back.

    Outcome
    DecreaseAnti-tumor benefit after retatrutide withdrawal
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Despite weight re-gain after RETA withdrawal, the anti-tumor benefits of RETA persisted.
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In preclinical models, body weight re-gain occurred after retatrutide withdrawal.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical models, body weight came back after retatrutide was stopped.

    Outcome
    IncreaseBody weight after retatrutide withdrawal
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Despite weight re-gain after RETA withdrawal, the anti-tumor benefits of RETA persisted.
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide reduced tumor engraftment by 50%.

    In plain wordsIn a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide halved the number of tumours that took hold, compared with controls.

    Outcome
    DecreaseLung cancer engraftment
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Controls
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Tumor engraftment reduction
    50%
    lung cancer model

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  9. 09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide significantly delayed tumor onset.

    In plain wordsIn a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide delayed the start of tumours compared with controls.

    Outcome
    IncreaseTime to lung tumor onset
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Controls
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  10. 10AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide mitigated tumor progression.

    In plain wordsIn a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide slowed tumour progression compared with controls.

    Outcome
    DecreaseLung tumor progression
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Controls
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  11. 11AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide gave a 17-fold reduction in tumor volume compared with controls.

    In plain wordsIn a preclinical lung cancer model, retatrutide cut tumour volume 17-fold compared with controls.

    Outcome
    DecreaseLung tumor volume
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Controls
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Tumor volume reduction
    17 fold
    lung cancer model

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  12. 12AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In preclinical cancer models, retatrutide elevated circulating IL-6.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical cancer models, retatrutide raised circulating IL-6, an immune signal.

    Outcome
    IncreaseCirculating IL-6
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  13. 13AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In preclinical cancer models, retatrutide increased antigen presenting cells.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical cancer models, retatrutide increased immune cells that present antigens.

    Outcome
    IncreaseAntigen presenting cells
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  14. 14AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In preclinical cancer models, retatrutide reduced immunosuppressive cells.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical cancer models, retatrutide reduced immune cells that suppress immune attack.

    Outcome
    DecreaseImmunosuppressive cells
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  15. 15AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In preclinical cancer models, retatrutide activated pro-inflammatory pathways.

    In plain wordsIn preclinical cancer models, retatrutide switched on pro-inflammatory pathways.

    Outcome
    IncreasePro-inflammatory pathway activation
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    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.
  16. 16AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In mice with pancreatic cancer, semaglutide produced a 4-fold reduction in tumor volume, smaller than the 14-fold reduction with retatrutide.

    In plain wordsIn mice with pancreatic cancer, semaglutide cut tumor volume 4-fold, less than the 14-fold cut seen with retatrutide.

    Outcome
    DecreasePancreatic tumor volume
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    pre-clinical pancreatic cancer model
    Outcome group
    Tumor growth · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    tumor volume reduction
    4-fold
    semaglutide-treated mice

    Source sentences

    Summary
    resulting in a 14-fold reduction in tumor volume compared to only 4-fold reduction in single agonist semaglutide-treated mice.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Versions 3 to 38Current

    28 Oct 2026, 02:04 UTC

    The same notice was added 36 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 19:08 UTC. The status did not change between them.

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

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