Association Between GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Colon Cancer in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Guo M, Liu Y, Zeng Y, Chen J, Zeng C, Huang LL, Wang JY, Wu YH, Wu Q, Teng FY, Xu Y

Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews1 Feb 2026

PMID41668634DOI10.1002/dmrr.70134PepBankPUB-41668634

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, network meta-analysis found a potential association between subcutaneous semaglutide (and albiglutide) and lower colon cancer incidence among adults treated for a longer duration and with lower baseline HbA1c levels.
In plain wordsA pooled analysis linked semaglutide injections to possibly less colon cancer, in people treated longer with lower starting HbA1c.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseColon cancer incidence, subcutaneous semaglutide in network meta-analysis
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In the network meta-analysis and subgroup analysis, a potential association was observed between albiglutide and subcutaneous semaglutide and a lower incidence of colon cancer among adults treated for a longer duration and with lower baseline HbA1c levels, regardless of baseline body mass index, age…
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 13 June 2024, to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the relationship between GLP-1 RA use and colorectal, colon, rectal, and intestinal cancers.
Report a problemFND-4166863405

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Semaglutide 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 Semaglutide.

02HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a lower risk of colon cancer in RCTs (RR 0.34).
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes or obesity, trials of GLP-1 drugs as a class linked them to a lower colon cancer risk.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseColon cancer risk, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Study
n = 36,415
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Measurements
Relative risk
0.34 RR
colon cancer, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Source sentences
Summary
GLP-1 RAs was associated with a significantly reduced risk of colon cancer (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17-0.68
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 13 June 2024, to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the relationship between GLP-1 RA use and colorectal, colon, rectal, and intestinal cancers.
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.
Report a problemFND-4166863401
03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists had a neutral effect on colorectal carcinoma risk in RCTs (RR 1.13).
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes or obesity, trials of GLP-1 drugs as a class showed no change in colorectal cancer risk.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeColorectal carcinoma risk, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Study
n = 36,415
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Measurements
Relative risk
1.13 RR
colorectal carcinoma, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Source sentences
Summary
showed a neutral effect on the risk of colorectal carcinoma, rectal, and intestinal cancer, with RRs of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.92-1.39; I² = 0.0%), 3.64 (95% CI, 0.76-17.40; I² = 0.0%), and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.31-1.84; I² = 23.3%), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 13 June 2024, to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the relationship between GLP-1 RA use and colorectal, colon, rectal, and intestinal cancers.
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.
Report a problemFND-4166863402
04HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists had a neutral effect on rectal cancer risk in RCTs (RR 3.64, wide interval).
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes or obesity, trials of GLP-1 drugs as a class showed no clear change in rectal cancer risk.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeRectal cancer risk, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Study
n = 36,415
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Measurements
Relative risk
3.64 RR
rectal cancer, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Source sentences
Summary
showed a neutral effect on the risk of colorectal carcinoma, rectal, and intestinal cancer, with RRs of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.92-1.39; I² = 0.0%), 3.64 (95% CI, 0.76-17.40; I² = 0.0%), and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.31-1.84; I² = 23.3%), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 13 June 2024, to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the relationship between GLP-1 RA use and colorectal, colon, rectal, and intestinal cancers.
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.
Report a problemFND-4166863403
05HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists had a neutral effect on intestinal cancer risk in RCTs (RR 0.76).
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes or obesity, trials of GLP-1 drugs as a class showed no clear change in intestinal cancer risk.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeIntestinal cancer risk, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Study
n = 36,415
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Measurements
Relative risk
0.76 RR
intestinal cancer, pooled GLP-1 RAs
Source sentences
Summary
showed a neutral effect on the risk of colorectal carcinoma, rectal, and intestinal cancer, with RRs of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.92-1.39; I² = 0.0%), 3.64 (95% CI, 0.76-17.40; I² = 0.0%), and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.31-1.84; I² = 23.3%), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 13 June 2024, to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the relationship between GLP-1 RA use and colorectal, colon, rectal, and intestinal cancers.
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.
Report a problemFND-4166863404

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.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Keywords

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