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Study · Systematic review · 2019

6 results

Risk of Malignant Neoplasia with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis.

Liu Y, Zhang X, Chai S, Zhao X, Ji L

Journal of diabetes research16 Jul 2019Cited by 40 (Europe PMC)

PMID31396537 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC6664552 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1155/2019/1534365 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-31396537
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Summary

BackgroundGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are effective glucose-lowering drugs, but there is concern that they may increase the risk of malignant neoplasia. The present meta-analysis examined the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists with regard to malignant neoplasia.MethodsWe analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases with a language restriction of English through October 1, 2018, and carried out a meta-analysis of the available trial data using a fixed effects model to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for neoplasia.ResultsThirty-four relevant articles, providing data for 50452 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the incidence of malignant neoplasia with placebo or other interventions, no increase in malignant neoplasm formation was observed with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (OR 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.15; p = 0.46), liraglutide (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.91-1.27; p = 0.38), exenatide (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.86-1.16; p = 1.00), semaglutide (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35-2.22; p = 0.80), or albiglutide (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.23-4.88; p = 0.93). A subanalysis of trials lasting longer than 3 years also showed no increase in the neoplasia risk with GLP-1 receptor agonist use (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92-1.15; p = 0.60). Between-trial statistical heterogeneity was low for all comparisons.ConclusionGLP-1 receptor agonists can be used without safety concerns related to malignant neoplasia in patients with type 2 diabetes.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide was not associated with increased malignant neoplasm risk compared with placebo or other interventions (OR 1.08).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, trials found no higher cancer rate with liraglutide than with placebo or other diabetes drugs.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk, liraglutide
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    1.08 ratio
    liraglutide

    Source sentences

    Summary
    liraglutide (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.91-1.27; p = 0.38)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide was not associated with increased malignant neoplasm risk compared with placebo or other interventions (OR 0.89).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, trials found no higher cancer rate with semaglutide than with placebo or other diabetes drugs.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk, semaglutide
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    0.89 ratio
    semaglutide

    Source sentences

    Summary
    semaglutide (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35-2.22; p = 0.80)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, the peptide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking the peptide.

  1. 03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class (including liraglutide) did not increase malignant neoplasm formation (OR 1.04).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs as a group showed no higher cancer rate than placebo or other diabetes drugs.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk, all GLP-1 receptor agonists
    Study

    n = 50,452

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    1.04 ratio
    GLP-1 receptor agonists

    Source sentences

    Summary
    no increase in malignant neoplasm formation was observed with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (OR 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.15; p = 0.46)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.

    In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

  2. 04HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class (including semaglutide) did not increase malignant neoplasm formation (OR 1.04).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs as a group showed no higher cancer rate than placebo or other diabetes drugs.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk, all GLP-1 receptor agonists
    Study

    n = 50,452

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    1.04 ratio
    GLP-1 receptor agonists

    Source sentences

    Summary
    no increase in malignant neoplasm formation was observed with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (OR 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.15; p = 0.46)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.

    In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

  3. 05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) lasting longer than 3 years showed no increased neoplasia risk (OR 1.03).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, longer trials of GLP-1 drugs as a group also showed no higher cancer rate.

    Peptide
    Liraglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk in trials longer than 3 years
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    1.03 ratio
    trials >3 years

    Source sentences

    Summary
    A subanalysis of trials lasting longer than 3 years also showed no increase in the neoplasia risk with GLP-1 receptor agonist use (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92-1.15; p = 0.60).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.

    In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

  4. 06HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with type 2 diabetes, trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (including semaglutide) lasting longer than 3 years showed no increased neoplasia risk (OR 1.03).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, longer trials of GLP-1 drugs as a group also showed no higher cancer rate.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeMalignant neoplasia risk in trials longer than 3 years
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Cancer

    Measurements

    Odds ratio
    1.03 ratio
    trials >3 years

    Source sentences

    Summary
    A subanalysis of trials lasting longer than 3 years also showed no increase in the neoplasia risk with GLP-1 receptor agonist use (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92-1.15; p = 0.60).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We analyzed data from randomized controlled trials with a minimum duration of 24 weeks that assessed the incidence of neoplasms in type 2 diabetes patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo or other hypoglycemic drugs.

    In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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