Loading Curie Briefs...
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
When diet and exercise aren't enough, adding a weight-loss pill may help breast cancer survivors hit their goals. A phase 2 trial found that naltrexone-bupropion helped 42% of survivors who hadn't lost weight through a behavioral program reach the 5% weight-loss threshold — a level tied to better physical function, less pain, and improved metabolic markers. Larger trials are still needed to confirm the approach.
Obesity affects more than one-third of breast cancer survivors and is linked to higher risks of recurrence and death — yet behavioral programs alone help only about half of survivors reach the 5% weight-loss threshold tied to meaningful health benefits. A new phase 2 trial called A-NEW tested a stepped approach: start with lifestyle changes, then add medication for those who aren't responding.
The trial enrolled 55 women with stage 0–III breast cancer who were overweight or had obesity. After 2 months of remote coaching and nutrition counseling, the 72% who hadn't yet lost 5% of their body weight were given naltrexone-bupropion alongside continued behavioral support. Of those, 42% reached the 5% target by 6 months — compared to 10.8% average weight loss in those who responded to lifestyle changes alone. GI side effects were common (~74%) but no serious adverse events occurred.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: This trial offers a practical, patient-selection framework for when to escalate breast cancer survivors from behavioral programs to pharmacotherapy — a question that's becoming more pressing as potent GLP-1 drugs reshape the obesity treatment landscape.
