GLP ‐1 receptor agonists and the risk for cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · Overall cancerResult — go to the resultMH-OR 1.05 95% CI 0.98–1.13Authors' conclusion
GLP-1 RA do not appear to produce an effect on most malignancies in clinical trials. A reduction of very close obesity-associated cancers seems possible, whereas a risk signal for thyroid cancer was observed, prompting the need for further specific studies. On the other hand, the small increase observed in colorectal cancer in shorter-term trials may be the effect of a disproportionate increase in diagnostic procedures in the GLP-1 RA arm, because of the suspicion raised by common side effects of GLP-1 RA.
Study context
- Population
- RCTs of GLP-1 RA for diabetes and/or obesity, lasting at least 52 weeks50 trials
- Comparison
- GLP-1 RA vs any comparators
- Outcome
- Incidence of overall cancers and single malignancies
Methodological detailstrials lasting at least 52 weeks
- Trials lasting at least 52 weeks
Pooled result
Overall cancer
MH-OR
1.05
95% CI 0.98–1.13
GLP-1RAvs Comparators
MH-OR 1.05 (95% CI 0.98–1.13)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | MH-OR | |
|---|---|---|
| Uterine cancer, trials in subjects with obesity | 0.24 (95% CI 0.06–0.94) | |
| Uterine cancer, trials aimed at diabetes treatment | 0.92 (CI 0.58–1.47) | |
| Thyroid cancerIncreased risk · more evident in longer-term trials | 1.55 (CI 1.05–2.27) | |
| Colorectal cancerIncreased risk · significant only in shorter-term trials | 1.27 (CI 1.03–1.57) | |
| 0.050.21520MH-OR (log scale) |
Other cancers
- No significant difference in risk for any other cancer
Original publication
GLP ‐1 receptor agonists and the risk for cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 29 May 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →