Do GLP-1 receptor agonists have any effect on cancer risk?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are widely prescribed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and more recently have gained popularity for weight management. Their long-term impact on cancer risk remains uncertain.To examine this issue, US researchers compared the incidence of 14 cancers among adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, with or without type 2 diabetes, who were taking GLP-1RAs (liraglutide, semaglutide or tirzepatide) versus nonusers. The retrospective cohort study used 2014 to 2024 electronic health record data from a health research network that integrates real-world clinical data for 20 million individuals from 14 healthcare organizations in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. The study included adults (≥ 18 years) without any prior cancer who were eligible for antiobesity medications. Participants were categorized as GLP-1RA users or nonusers, and matched 1:1 using propensity scores.The primary outcomes were the incidence of 14 cancer types, including 13 obesity-associated cancers (liver, thyroid, pancreatic, bladder, colorectal, kidney, breast, endometrial, meningioma, upper gastrointestinal, ovarian, multiple myeloma, and prostate) and lung cancer.Results showed the following:The study included a total of 86,632 matched adults (mean age, 52.4 years; 68.2% female). Of these, 43,317 were GLP-1RA users and 43,315 were otherwise eligible nonusers.The incidence rates of the 14 cancers combined were 13.6 (GLP-1RA users) vs 16.4 (nonusers) per 1,000 person-years. This indicates a significantly lower overall cancer risk among individuals taking GLP-1RAs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83 [95%CI, 0.76–0.91]; p=0.002) compared with nonusers.In particular, taking GLP-1RAs was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (HR, 0.75 [95%CI, 0.57–0.99]; p=0.05), ovarian cancer (HR, 0.53 [95%CI, 0.29–0.96]; p=0.04) and meningioma (HR, 0.69 [95%CI, 0.48–0.97]; p=0.05).GLP-1RA use was associated with a marginally, but nonsignificant, increased risk of kidney cancer (HR, 1.38 [95%CI, 0.99–1.93]; p=0.04). The risk was highest among those younger than 65 years or those with overweight (BMI 27–29.9).The authors conclude that this retrospective cohort study suggests that taking GLP-1RAs is associated with a reduced overall risk of cancer, including lower risks of endometrial, ovarian and meningioma cancers, among patients with obesity or overweight regardless of type 2 diabetes status. However, taking GLP-1RAs may be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. Longer-term follow-up is needed to further investigate and clarify the clinical implications these findings, as well as to determine the underlying biological mechanisms. Since millions of individuals are currently eligible for GLP-1RA therapies, even modest changes in cancer risk could have substantial public health implications.Reference: Dai H, Li Y, Lee YA, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists and cancer risk in adults with obesity. JAMA Oncol 2025. Published online August 21, 2025. (accessed August 21, 2025).

Do GLP-1 receptor agonists have any effect on cancer risk?

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