Miguel Bronchud, Veteran Cancer Clinician and Researcher, shared on LinkedIn:
“Alcohol – attributable cancer mortality in the United States, 1990–2023: a secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease data
Unfortunately for beer enthusiasts or wine lovers (not to mention loyal fans of whiskey or vodka or rum) any long term ‘Alcohol’ consumption is a well – established carcinogenic exposure.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen based on strong causal associations with multiple malignancies, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and colorectum.
Among these, cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract demonstrate one of the highest relative risks of alcohol – attributable mortality, with pooled analyses showing clear dose – response relationships and substantially elevated risk estimates compared with non – drinkers.
The carcinogenicity of alcohol is primarily mediated through the oxidative metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde, a highly reactive and mutagenic metabolite. Acetaldehyde promotes DNA damage, oxidative stress, and impaired DNA repair mechanisms, thereby facilitating carcinogenesis across multiple organ systems.
More research is probably warranted on antidotes to acetaldehyde production in our bodies in response to alcohol.
Moderate alcohol consumption is ‘generally acceptable’ for most people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide or tirzepatide, but the combination requires extra caution.
Fourteen studies (four randomized clinical trials, RCTs, ten observational; n = 5,262,268) were recently analyzed.
GLP-1 RAs studied were Semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and tripeptide. Pooled analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in AUDIT scores (mean difference −7.81 points; 95% CI −9.02 to −6.60; I2 = 87.5%).
RCTs also reported reduced drinking days, units per drinking day, and cravings particularly with Semaglutide.
GLP-1 RA use was associated with reduced alcohol intake, relapse rates, and incidence of alcohol – related diagnoses, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity prescribed Semaglutide or liraglutide.
Population – based studies showed lower risks of incident and recurrent AUD, intoxication, and hospitalization.
Biomarker analyses (PEth, γ-GT) demonstrated reductions with GLP-1 RA use, and neuroimaging studies reported attenuated alcohol cue reactivity and dopaminergic signaling.
Weight loss and metabolic improvements reinforced abstinence and treatment adherence.
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease database, the investigators analyzed age – standardized mortality rates and the percentage of these rates attributable to heavy alcohol use, defined as consumption above the theoretical minimum risk exposure level, in the United States from 1990 through 2023. Results are worrisome.”
Title: Alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in the United States, 1990–2023: a secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease data
Authors: Chinmay T. Jani, Kyle Edwards, Rajesh Sharma, Ruchi T. Jani, Ali Al Sbihi, Jose Noy, Georges Chedid, Samuel Kareff, Joseph Shalhoub, Justin Salciccioli, Dionysios C. Watson, Aman Chauhan, Estelamari Rodriguez, Gilberto Lopes
Title: Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Reza Eshraghi, Delaram J. Ghadimi, Sara Montazerinamin, Ashkan Bahrami, Yash Kachela, Mahsa Rezasoltani, Mohammad Javad Namazi, Mohsan Subhani, Pouya Ebrahimi, Kaveh Hossein
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