GLP-1 receptor agonists and cancer progression

In this video, Dr Willem Lybaert discusses a propensity-matched real-world analysis evaluating whether GLP-1 receptor agonist use after cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced progression to metastatic disease.¹

Using the TriNetX Global Health Research Network, the study identified patients with stage I-III cancer who initiated GLP-1 receptor agonists after diagnosis and matched them 1:1 with patients treated with DPP-4 inhibitors (N=12,112 total matched patients). Seven solid tumour types were analysed: NSCLC, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer.

GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure was associated with reduced progression to stage IV disease in six of seven tumour types, with statistically significant reductions observed in NSCLC, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Protective trends were seen in prostate and pancreatic cancer, while no significant difference was observed in renal cell carcinoma.

No increased safety concerns were reported. Overall, these findings are hypothesis-generating and require prospective validation before GLP-1 receptor agonists can be considered as part of oncological treatment strategies.