Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
11:10
Isolation of Human Islets from Partially Pancreatectomized Patients
Published on: July 30, 2011
16.8K
Thyroid Cancer Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Taking Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists
Bao Y Sciscent1, Hanel W Eberly1, F Jeffrey Lorenz1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine Hershey 17033 Pennsylvania USA.
OTO Open
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) show no increased 5-year risk of thyroid cancer (TC) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. This finding holds true when compared to other common diabetes medications like metformin and SGLT-2I.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are effective for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) glycemic control.
- A potential concern exists regarding a possible association between GLP-1RA use and thyroid cancer (TC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 5-year risk of thyroid cancer (TC) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) treated with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database.
- Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients from 2017-2019 were identified and propensity score matched.
- The 5-year risk of thyroid cancer (TC) in GLP-1RA users was compared against users of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2I), metformin, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4I).
Main Results:
- In a comparison of 7736 patients each, GLP-1RA users showed a 5-year TC rate of 0.30% versus 0.48% for SGLT-2I users (RR 0.62).
- Analysis of 5158 patients each revealed similar TC rates between GLP-1RA (0.25%) and metformin (0.39%) users.
- Comparing 12,570 patients each, GLP-1RA users had a TC rate of 0.33% versus 0.37% for DPP-4I users, indicating no significant increase.
Conclusions:
- Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients using GLP-1RA do not appear to have an elevated 5-year risk of thyroid cancer (TC) compared to those using metformin, SGLT-2I, or DPP-4I.
- Long-term conclusions are limited due to the relatively recent approval of most GLP-1RA medications.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
571
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...
571
01:24Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
832
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...
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...
832
01:15Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
796
Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
796
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
4.3K
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
4.3K
01:16Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
670
Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
670
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
13.8K
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
13.8K