Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:08

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: June 2, 2023

2.2K

Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Patients with Thyroid Carcinomas Undergoing Active Surveillance

Armando Patrizio1, Samantha K Newman1, R Michael Tuttle1

  • 1Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Journal of the Endocrine Society
|December 11, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) did not impact tumor growth in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer on active surveillance. Further research is needed to confirm the safety of GLP-1RA use in thyroid cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established treatments for diabetes and obesity.
  • The impact of GLP-1RAs on nonmedullary thyroid malignancies is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of GLP-1RA exposure on tumor kinetics in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma under active surveillance.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective observational cohort study compared 18 patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas exposed to GLP-1RA with 37 control patients not exposed.
  • Tumor kinetics were assessed over a median follow-up of 5.5 years, with significant growth defined by diameter change ≥3 mm or volume change >72%.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in tumor growth kinetics was observed between the GLP-1RA exposed group (10.5% significant growth) and the unexposed group (2.6% significant growth) (P = .53).
  • GLP-1RA exposure did not alter tumor volume growth rates in the few tumors that did increase in size.

Conclusions:

  • GLP-1RA therapy does not appear to affect tumor growth kinetics in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma undergoing active surveillance.
  • Larger studies with longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the safety of GLP-1RA use in patients with thyroid carcinomas on active surveillance.
Keywords:
GLP-1RAactive surveillancethyroid microcarcinomas

More Related Videos

Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer03:55

Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer

Published on: June 9, 2023

911
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance05:19

A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance

Published on: November 7, 2025

634

Related Concept Videos

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
818
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
562
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides01:06

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively...
565
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
7.1K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors01:19

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are...
505
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity01:09

GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity

Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of...
7.2K