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Common breast cancer treatment limits success of Ozempic, other weight loss drugs


A commonly used breast cancer treatment may reduce the effectiveness of popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, according to a new study.

Researchers found weight loss interventions are less successful among breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors compared to women without breast cancer who are not using these treatments.

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Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat some types of breast cancer or keep it from returning. They may also be used to help prevent breast cancer in some women who are at a high risk of developing it.

These medications block the activity of an enzyme called aromatase, which the body uses to make estrogen in the ovaries and other tissues.

Blocking aromatase lowers the body’s estrogen, which may stop the growth of cancer cells that need estrogen to grow.

“Weight gain is a common concern in breast cancer survivors,” said lead researcher Si-ma Fansa, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She said studies have shown that aromatase inhibitors may be a risk factor for weight gain. Weight gain and obesity, in addition to being associated with breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer-related death, can lead to heart disease and heart-related death.

“This is the first study assessing response to weight loss medications in a subgroup of breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors,” Fansa said. “Our results highlight the need to develop better approaches to manage weight gain in patients with a history of breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors. Preventing weight gain in this group or treating obesity effectively will improve breast cancer outcomes, prevent further health complications, and improve quality of life for these people.”

Weight loss drugs half as effective

The study included 99 participants, with 63 women who had a history of breast cancer and were taking aromatase inhibitors and weight loss medications (liraglutide, semag-lutide, or phentermine).

The remaining 36 women did not have a history of breast cancer and were only taking weight loss medications.

The results demonstrated that women in the breast cancer group experienced less weight loss at the three, six, and 12-month checkpoints compared to women without a history of breast cancer. The difference in weight loss percentages was noticeable (3.7 percent vs. 5.6 percent at 3 months, 3.9 percent vs. 9.5 percent at 6 months, and 5.2 percent vs. 10.5 percent at 12 months).

“Our results highlight the need to develop better approaches to manage weight gain in patients with a history of breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors,” says lead researcher Sima Fansa, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in a media release. “Preventing weight gain in this group or treating obesity effectively will improve breast cancer outcomes, prevent further health complications, and improve quality of life for these people.”

Weight gain and obesity are associated with breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer-related death, and increased risk of heart disease and related complications.

Ozempic and similar drugs have been gaining global notoriety for their success in rapid weight loss.

As Al Arabiya English reported earlier this year, a surging number of people – including those in the UAE – heading to health clinics, pharmacies and hospitals trying to get their hands on diabetes injections such as Saxenda and Ozempic to use the medications for weight loss.

Interest peaked after videos on TikTok and advertisements on Instagram promoted the drugs as a miracle cure for stubborn fat. Celebrities getting a hold of the drug to drop a few dress sizes also played a role in the increased interest.

Otherwise known as semaglutide, Ozempic and other similar drugs, such as Wegovy, originated as a diabetes medication, and were FDA-approved to treat obesity in 2021, becoming so popular it caused shortages.

Semaglutide contains a compound that mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. It also makes you feel full because it slows down stomach emptying and suppresses appetite.

The drug has helped people shed up to 15 percent of their body weight. However, in clinical trials, people complained of side effects, including constipation, nausea, vomiting, headaches and diarrhea.

Fansa said the report’s findings underscore the importance of developing improved strategies to manage weight gain in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors. By preventing weight gain and effectively addressing obesity, better outcomes can be achieved in breast cancer treatment, reducing the risk of complications and enhancing the quality of life for these individuals.

Researchers presented their findings at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago.

Read more:

UK to explore wider access to obesity drugs in $50 million pilot

Diabetes drug Ozempic being tested for treatment of Alzheimer’s, brain disorders

What are the different weight-loss drugs? Ozempic, Wegovy, and a ‘miracle cure’ plant

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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