Cancer risk of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for obesity: comparison with bariatric surgery and other weight-loss drugs.

Bitar ER, Besir K, Cummins KC, Sears O, El Moheb M, McKee K, Ruff SM, van der Windt DJ, Tsung A

Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract14 Jul 2026

PMID42447648DOI10.1016/j.gassur.2026.102497PepBankPUB-42447648

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 study14

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone14

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.

01HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs was linked to less colorectal cancer than bariatric surgery. This is not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseColorectal cancer incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.72
CRC, therapeutic dose versus bariatric surgery
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764801
02HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs was linked to less colorectal cancer than bariatric surgery. This is not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreaseColorectal cancer incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.72
CRC, therapeutic dose versus bariatric surgery
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764802
03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower incidence of pancreatic cancer than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs was linked to less pancreatic cancer than bariatric surgery. This is not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreasePancreatic cancer incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.63
pancreatic cancer, therapeutic dose versus bariatric surgery
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764803
04HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower incidence of pancreatic cancer than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs was linked to less pancreatic cancer than bariatric surgery. This is not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreasePancreatic cancer incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.63
pancreatic cancer, therapeutic dose versus bariatric surgery
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764804
05HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were not linked to a different incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no liver cancer difference versus bariatric surgery. Not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeHepatocellular carcinoma incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764805
06HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were not linked to a different incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma than bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no liver cancer difference versus bariatric surgery. Not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
No significant changeHepatocellular carcinoma incidence versus bariatric surgery
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Bariatric surgery
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with bariatric surgery, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RA use was associated with a lower incidence of CRC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; P =.038) and pancreatic cancer (HR, 0.63; P =.041), but not HCC.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764806
07HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower colorectal cancer risk than other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, pooled GLP-1 drugs were linked to less colorectal cancer than other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseColorectal cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.68
CRC, therapeutic dose versus other weight-loss medications
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with other weight-loss medications, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RAs were associated with a lower CRC risk (HR, 0.68; P =.008), without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764807
08HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) were linked to a lower colorectal cancer risk than other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, pooled GLP-1 drugs were linked to less colorectal cancer than other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreaseColorectal cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Measurements
Hazard ratio
0.68
CRC, therapeutic dose versus other weight-loss medications
Source sentences
Summary
Compared with other weight-loss medications, therapeutic-dose GLP-1 RAs were associated with a lower CRC risk (HR, 0.68; P =.008), without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764808
09HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) showed no significant difference in pancreatic cancer versus other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no pancreatic cancer difference versus other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changePancreatic cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764809
10HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) showed no significant difference in pancreatic cancer versus other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no pancreatic cancer difference versus other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
No significant changePancreatic cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764810
11HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) showed no significant difference in liver cancer versus other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no liver cancer difference versus other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeLiver cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764811
12HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, pooled therapeutic-dose GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) showed no significant difference in liver cancer versus other weight-loss medications.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no liver cancer difference versus other weight-loss drugs. Not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
No significant changeLiver cancer incidence versus other weight-loss medications
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other weight-loss medications
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
without significant differences in pancreatic or liver cancer.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764812
13HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, any-dose use of pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) was not associated with significant differences in cancer incidence.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, any-dose use of a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no significant cancer differences. This is not specific to semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeCancer incidence with any-dose GLP-1 RA use
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
The use of any dose was not associated with significant differences.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
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-4244764813
14HumanNot a test of Tirzepatide aloneObservational studySafety outcome
In nondiabetic adults with obesity, any-dose use of pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) was not associated with significant differences in cancer incidence.
In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, any-dose use of a pooled group of GLP-1 drugs showed no significant cancer differences. This is not specific to tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
No significant changeCancer incidence with any-dose GLP-1 RA use
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Cancer risk · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
The use of any dose was not associated with significant differences.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the TriNetX Research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nondiabetic adults with obesity who received semaglutide or tirzepatide, underwent bariatric surgery, or used other weight-loss medications (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, or naltrexone/bupropion).
In this study, Tirzepatide 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 Tirzepatide.
Report a problemFND-4244764814

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 3Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:07 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.