JAMA Netw Open

GLP-1 RAs may lower hematologic cancer risk in type 2 diabetes

March 12, 2025

GLP-1 RAs were associated with a lower risk of various hematologic cancers in patients with T2DM, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic option for managing diabetes and reducing cancer risk.

Study details: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the risk of hematologic cancers in patients with T2DM prescribed GLP-1 RAs (n=51,617), insulin (n=611,115), or metformin (n=938,602), with data collected from 2005 to 2023.

Results: GLP-1 RA use was associated with significantly lower risks of myelodysplastic syndromes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (HR, 0.67) compared with metformin. Additionally, GLP-1 RAs were associated with reduced risks of myeloid leukemia, lymphoid leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, monoclonal gammopathy, multiple myeloma, and amyloidosis compared with insulin (HRs ranging from 0.19-0.68).

Source:

Ashruf OS, et al. (2025, March 3). JAMA Netw Open. Hematologic Cancers Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Prescribed GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40048168/