SynthesisFrontiers in pharmacology2026
Reassessing cancer risk with GLP-1 receptor agonists: a comprehensive meta-analysis of gastrointestinal malignancies.
Synthesis in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. While their metabolic benefits are established, concerns persist about a possible link with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This study aimed to clarify the association between GLP-1 RA use and GI cancer risk. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus till August 2024 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting GI cancer outcomes. Ninety-three RCTs with 1.85 million participants were included. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model, with subgroup analyses by cancer type and exposure duration. Results: GLP-1 RA use was not associated with an increased overall risk of GI cancers (HR 0.81: 95% CI: 0.68-0.96). Subgroup analyses indicated reduced risks of colorectal cancer (HR 0.81: 95% CI: 0.68-0.96) and liver cancer (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88). Pancreatic cancer risk was not significantly elevated (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.61-0.95). Findings were consistent across sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: This meta-analysis of RCTs provides reassuring evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists were not associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers, with signals suggesting a possible reduction in colorectal and liver cancer incidence that should be interpreted cautiously. These results support the continued safe use of GLP-1 RAs in T2DM and obesity, although longer trials with cancer-specific endpoints are warranted. This review was registered in Open Science Framework https://osf.io/3rv6d/overview. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/3rv6d/overview.
Indexed as
Identifiers
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Registered trials
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.