FDA grants orphan drug designation to Merck’s M7824 in biliary tract cancer

The rapid adoption of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), particularly for weight management, represents one of the most significant shifts in metabolic medicine in decades. With millions of people now using medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, we are witnessing a fundamental alteration in patient physiology that extends far beyond glucose control and weight loss. As these drugs approach 10% population penetrance in some demographics, the oncology community faces an urgent question: How will this metabolic transformation reshape cancer care?