Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly used in the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity due to their glucose-lowering, weight-reducing, and cardioprotective benefits.However, concerns regarding their potential association with malignancy have been raised based on early rodent studies showing an increased risk for medullary thyroid and pancreatic cancers.In this review, we summarize current clinical evidence on the relationship between GLP-1RA use and cancer risk, focusing particularly on gastrointestinal cancers.Although some preclinical findings have suggested tumorigenic potential, randomized controlled trials, large-scale retrospective cohort studies, and meta-analyses have generally demonstrated no significant increase in the overall incidence of cancer among GLP-1RA users.Moreover, recent epidemiological studies have reported a reduced risk for several gastrointestinal cancers, especially those related to obesity.However, varying results have been noted according to cancer type and study design, with a few studies reporting elevated risks for specific tumors, such as thyroid cancer.Overall, current evidence does not support restricting GLP-1RA use due to cancer risk in the general population, though caution is advised in high-risk individuals.Further studies are warranted to clarify the potential relationship between GLP-1RA use and sitespecific gastrointestinal cancers.
Authors: Yu Jin Kim, Jaehyun Bae
Institution: Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413766897