Overview
Obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are increasingly used for weight management. This study explores the real-world use of GLP-1 medications among breast cancer patients and their potential impact on treatment outcomes. The study included 708,406 patients with breast cancer—53,694 of which had documented GLP-1 use– from the Flatiron Health EHR-derived Breast Panoramic database, which is comprised of >940K patients with breast cancer.
The team utilized large language models (LLMs) to extract information about GLP-1 use from electronic health records and examined the associations between GLP-1 use and various factors, including clinical characteristics, sociodemographics, and social determinants of health. It also looked at the relationship between GLP-1 use and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test status. Researchers found that GLP-1 use is influenced by factors such as obesity, race, and telemedicine access, highlighting inequities in treatment access. Additionally, it was observed that GLP-1 users had higher rates of ctDNA testing and lower ctDNA positivity.
Why this matters
This research underscores the importance of personalized medicine and equitable access to therapies. By demonstrating the effectiveness of LLMs in extracting medication data, the study also sets the stage for future investigations into the clinical impact of GLP-1 use on breast cancer treatment and outcomes, with implications for improving patient care.