GLP 1 Medications and Pancreatic Cancer Risk!

A recent study has alleviated concerns about the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

The study, which looked at 7 years of patient data, found that users of GLP-1 receptor agonists did not have a significantly different risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to those using basal insulin.

The researchers, led by Rachel Dankner, MD, MPH, of Sheba Medical Center in Ramat, Israel, adjusted their model for various variables and found consistent results across different analytical approaches.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, focused on Israeli adult patients with type 2 diabetes and found no association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and pancreatic cancer incidence.

The researchers hope that these findings will alleviate concerns when prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists, both as glucose-lowering and weight reduction medications, to patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The study's limitations include its observational design and the relatively short follow-up period for assessing pancreatic cancer risk.

The study provides reassurance regarding the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists in relation to pancreatic cancer risk, particularly for patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings are based on a thorough analysis of patient data over a 7-year period and have the potential to influence clinical practice in prescribing these medications.

Source Reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813598