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Journal Article Review Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 40140925 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-025-00765-3

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and cancer risk: advancing precision medicine through mechanistic understanding and clinical evidence.

Biomark Res 13(1):50

Authors: Anqi Lin, Yanxi Ding, Zhengrui Li, Aimin Jiang, Zaoqu Liu, Hank Z H Wong, Quan Cheng, Jian Zhang, Peng Luo

Affiliations

  • Donghai County People's Hospital - Jiangnan University Smart Healthcare Joint Laboratory, Donghai County People's Hospital (Affiliated Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University), Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, 222000, China. Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.
  • Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China. The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
  • Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology and Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
  • Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China.
  • Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
  • Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China. National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China.
  • Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.
  • Donghai County People's Hospital - Jiangnan University Smart Healthcare Joint Laboratory, Donghai County People's Hospital (Affiliated Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University), Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, 222000, China.
  • Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as a primary first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. This has raised concerns about their impact on cancer risk, spurring extensive research. This review systematically examines the varied effects of GLP-1RAs on the risk of different types of tumors, including overall cancer risk and specific cancers such as thyroid, pancreatic, reproductive system, liver, and colorectal cancers. The potential biological mechanisms underlying their influence on cancer risk are complex, involving metabolic regulation, direct antitumor effects, immune modulation, and epigenetic changes. A systematic comparison with other antidiabetic agents reveals notable differences in their influence on cancer risk across drug classes. Additionally, critical factors that shape the relationship between GLP-1RAs and cancer risk are thoroughly analyzed, including patient demographics, comorbidities, treatment regimens, and lifestyle factors, offering essential insights for developing individualized treatment protocols. Despite significant research progress, critical gaps remain. Future research should prioritize elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind the antitumor effects, refining individualized treatment strategies, investigating early tumor prevention applications, assessing potential benefits for non-diabetic populations, advancing the development of novel therapies, establishing robust safety monitoring frameworks, and building precision medicine decision-making platforms. These efforts aim to establish novel roles for GLP-1RAs in cancer prevention. and treatment, thereby advancing the progress of precision medicine.

MeSH

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor, Neoplasms, Precision Medicine, Research, Glucagon, Therapeutics, Glucagon-Like Peptides

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