Agonist News and Research

RSS

Low-dose megestrol strengthens hormone therapy in ER-positive breast cancer

Low-dose megestrol enhances hormone therapy for ER-positive breast cancer, reducing tumor proliferation and improving treatment adherence in the PIONEER trial.

7 Jan 2026

Understanding sevoflurane-induced neurogenesis inhibition and cognitive dysfunction in children

Every year, millions of infants and children undergo surgery under general anesthesia in the world. Sevoflurane is a commonly used pediatric anesthetic. Its exposure during brain development has been shown to inhibit neurogenesis and cause cognitive dysfunction in animal models.

5 Jan 2026

Progesterone mimic plus anti-estrogen treatment slows tumor growth in breast cancer patients

A drug mimicking the hormone progesterone has anti-cancer activity when used together with conventional anti-estrogen treatment for women with breast cancer, a new Cambridge-led trial has found.

5 Jan 2026

Circadian control of neutrophils limits heart damage after myocardial infarction

Neutrophils cause time-of-day–dependent collateral tissue damage after sterile injury through an intrinsic circadian program. Activating a CXCL12–CXCR4 checkpoint repositions neutrophils, limiting inflammatory injury without impairing antimicrobial defense.

15 Dec 2025

Glucose-lowering drugs may reduce risk of developing epilepsy

A preliminary study of people with diabetes suggests that use of glucose-lowering GLP-1 drugs may be linked to a lower risk of developing epilepsy. The study was published on December 10, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

10 Dec 2025

Untreated restless legs syndrome may increase Parkinson's disease risk

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sleep disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often worsening at night.

2 Dec 2025

Stopping GLP-1 drugs before pregnancy leads to more weight gain

Researchers determine the risk of pregnancy weight gain in patients who were prescribed GLP-1 RAs prior to conception.

1 Dec 2025

Semaglutide helps older adults lose weight without immediate bone loss

Semaglutide shows potential for weight loss in older adults without harming bone density, but longer studies are essential to assess its effects on bone health.

1 Dec 2025

GLP-1 discontinuation associated with more weight gain and pregnancy complications

In a study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, pregnant individuals who stopped taking popular weight loss GLP-1 medications before or early in their pregnancy tended to gain more weight and have higher risks of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, and experienced preterm delivery more so than people who had never taken GLP-1 drugs.

24 Nov 2025

Study finds GLP-1 drugs improve strength and reverse aging biology in mice

Researchers showed that GLP-1 receptor agonism counteracts aging across multiple organs in mice, improving strength and reversing molecular aging signatures without meaningful effects on body weight. These benefits depended largely on hypothalamic GLP-1R signaling and closely mirrored the anti-aging patterns produced by rapamycin.

23 Nov 2025

Oral GLP-1 pill shows strong weight loss and blood sugar benefits in adults with diabetes

A new oral GLP-1 medication can help adults with obesity and Type 2 diabetes lose more weight and improve their blood sugar levels compared to a placebo, according to findings from the ATTAIN-2 trial led by a UTHealth Houston researcher.

20 Nov 2025

Searches for “Ozempic face” surge as people look for filler-based solutions

Public interest in “Ozempic face” rose sharply from 2022 to 2025, mirrored by increased searches for nonsurgical facial filler procedures. Surgical terms showed neutral or negative associations, indicating consumers are primarily exploring filler-based solutions for GLP-1RA-related facial volume loss.

20 Nov 2025

Oral semaglutide delivers real-world drops in blood sugar and weight in diabetes trial

Oral semaglutide delivered meaningful reductions in HbA1c and body weight among GLP-1RA-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes in a Dutch real-world cohort. Lipid levels and blood pressure showed only small changes, reflecting modest cardiometabolic effects outside glucose and weight control.

18 Nov 2025

Brain recordings reveal short-lived effects of tirzepatide on food cravings

A rare glimpse into the brain activity of a patient with obesity and loss of control eating on tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, revealed that the medication suppresses signaling in the brain's "reward center" thought to be involved in food noise – but only temporarily.

17 Nov 2025

Novel triple receptor agonist shows potent efficacy in lowering high triglycerides

In a small, short duration trial (12 weeks), a new medication called DR10624 reduced triglyceride levels in most patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia by more than 60%, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.

11 Nov 2025

GLP-1 drugs beat metformin for weight control in teens with type 2 diabetes

In youth newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1–based therapies, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, achieved similar blood sugar control but significantly greater reductions in body mass index than metformin. These findings highlight the potential of high-potency GLP-1 agents as effective monotherapy options in managing obesity and glycemic control in adolescents.

10 Nov 2025

Do GLP-1 drugs cause cancer? New review says no, may even protect

A comprehensive review in The Journal of Clinical Investigation finds no overall link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and increased cancer risk, countering early safety concerns. Instead, evidence suggests possible protective effects for certain cancers, supported by metabolic and immune-modulating mechanisms.

4 Nov 2025

New approach harnesses tumor's own machinery to produce immune-stimulating molecules

By stimulating cancer cells to produce a molecule that activates a signaling pathway in nearby immune cells, MIT researchers have found a way to force tumors to trigger their own destruction.

3 Nov 2025

Healthy lifestyle habits plus GLP-1 RA drugs can improve heart health of people with Type 2 diabetes

People with Type 2 diabetes who combined healthy lifestyle habits with GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications had a greater reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular disease death, compared to people only taking the medication, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025.