Evidence mapPaperPMID 41388641Full record

SynthesisCancer medicine2025

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention: A Meta-Analysis and Clinical Decision Framework.

Andrea Dalbeni, Marco Vicardi, Leonardo Antonio Natola, Filippo Cattazzo, Alessandra Auriemma, Rosa Lombardi, Felice Cinque, Luca Dalle Carbonare, Alessandro Mantovani, David Sacerdoti

Abstract readNetwork Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Cancer medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Andrea DalbeniUnit of General Medicine C, Medicine Department, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0402-4176
Marco VicardiUnit of General Medicine C, Medicine Department, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6012-1524
Leonardo Antonio NatolaUnit of General Medicine C, Medicine Department, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0465-8486
Filippo CattazzoUnit of General Medicine C, Medicine Department, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Alessandra AuriemmaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Rosa LombardiSC Medicina Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Felice CinqueSC Medicina Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Luca Dalle CarbonareUnit of General Medicine C, Medicine Department, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Alessandro MantovaniSection of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy.
David SacerdotiLiver Unit, Medicine Departmen, University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND &

aimsWhile glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) show promise for hepatoprotection in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the magnitude of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk reduction and optimal patient selection remain unclear. This is particularly relevant given that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects 70% of patients with T2DM and represents a major HCC risk factor. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to quantify GLP-1RA efficacy in HCC prevention and inform clinical implementation strategies.

methodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science through June 2025 for cohort studies comparing HCC incidence between GLP-1RA users and nonusers with T2DM. Random-effects meta-analysis, network meta-analysis, and meta-regression were performed. Heterogeneity was explored through stratified analyses and quantitative bias assessment.

resultsNine studies encompassing 2,283,835 total patients (analyzed cohorts: 1,012,482) were included. GLP-1RA use was associated with a 42% reduced HCC risk (pooled HR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41-0.88; I

conclusionsGLP-1RAs substantially reduce HCC risk in T2DM, with benefits partly attributable to avoiding insulin's potential hepatotoxicity. These findings support the preferential use of GLP-1RAs over insulin in patients at HCC risk.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, HepatocellularDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsHypoglycemic AgentsLiver NeoplasmsClinical Decision-MakingHumansGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsHypoglycemic Agentsdiabetes mellitusglucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonistshepatocellular carcinomainsulinliver neoplasmsmeta‐analysis

Identifiers

PMID41388641
PMCPMC12701129

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.