Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42677883›Full record

SynthesisCancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center

Associations Between Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) and Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Isha Lalani, Reynaldo Nambayan, Chantelle Carbonell, Yibing Ruan, Dylan E O'Sullivan, Igor Stukalin, Robert J Hilsden, Darren R Brenner

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Isha LalaniDepartment of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Reynaldo NambayanDepartment of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Chantelle CarbonellDepartment of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Yibing RuanDepartment of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Dylan E O'SullivanDepartment of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Igor StukalinDepartment of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Robert J HilsdenDepartment of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Darren R BrennerDepartment of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-3027-290X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

IntroductionUse of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for control of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction is increasing. Given the established link between obesity and multiple cancers, there is growing interest in the potential effects of GLP-1RAs on cancer risk reduction. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between GLP-1RA use and cancer incidence.MethodsWe conducted literature searches in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, covering publications up to September 17th, 2025. Our review included studies among adults receiving GLP-1RAs for any indication that reported effects on cancer incidence of any type.ResultsAmong 1,644 unique citations identified, 139 studies met the inclusion criteria for full-text review. After study exclusion, a total of 78 observational studies were included in the review and meta-analysis. GLP-1RA use was associated with statistically significant reductions in cancer risk for 10 of 13 obesity-associated cancers, specifically colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, gallbladder, liver, ovarian, pancreatic and stomach cancers along with meningioma and multiple myeloma. Compared to insulin specifically, GLP-1RAs provided protective effects against cancer of the colorectum (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.66), liver (RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.62), and pancreas (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.48). The risk of developing thyroid cancer was slightly elevated, but not statistically significant, among GLP-1RA users (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.21).ConclusionsPooled estimates of observational studies suggest notable reductions in cancer incidence for several obesity-associated cancers. As GLP-1RA use increases, ongoing safety monitoring and long-term real-world data are essential. The potential role of GLP-1RAs in cancer risk reduction warrants further investigation through large-scale RCTs, alongside balanced risk-benefit discussions with patients.

Indexed as

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsHypoglycemic AgentsNeoplasmsDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2HumansIncidenceObesityRisk FactorsGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsHypoglycemic Agentscancer preventioncancer riskglucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs)obesityobesity-associated cancer

Identifiers

PMID42677883
PMCPMC13535051

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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.