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Thyroid safety in patients treated with liraglutide
1Oncological Endocrinology, AO Citta' della Salute e della Scienza-Molinette, Via Genova, 3, I-10137 Turin, Italy. mgallo4@cittadellasalute.to.it
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|March 14, 2013
Summary
New anti-diabetic drugs like liraglutide show no link to thyroid cancer in humans. However, long-term effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor activation on the human thyroid require further study.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Novel anti-diabetic drugs, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs, have expanded treatment options for Type 2 diabetes.
- Concerns exist regarding potential cardiovascular and oncological adverse effects of these new therapies.
- Rodent studies with liraglutide suggested a link to medullary thyroid tumors, raising questions about human relevance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between liraglutide therapy and thyroid abnormalities in humans.
- To address concerns regarding the oncological safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sequential changes in plasma calcitonin levels in a large cohort of patients treated with liraglutide.
- Monitoring for the incidence of medullary thyroid cancer in human subjects receiving liraglutide.
Main Results:
- No relationship was identified between liraglutide therapy and plasma calcitonin levels.
- No cases of medullary thyroid cancer were detected in humans treated with liraglutide.
Conclusions:
- Current data suggest liraglutide therapy is not associated with medullary thyroid cancer in humans.
- The long-term impact of sustained GLP-1 receptor activation on the human thyroid remains to be elucidated and warrants further investigation.
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