A recent study found no significant difference in the risk of thyroid cancer between adults with type 2 diabetes using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and those using dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Researchers analyzed data from multiple countries, including Canada, Denmark, and South Korea, and found similar thyroid cancer risks in both medication groups, with follow-up ranging up to 10 years. In a subgroup analysis, women using GLP-1 receptor agonists had a lower risk of thyroid cancer compared to those using DPP4 inhibitors. However, the study also revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a higher risk of thyroid cancer compared to sulfonylureas.

While researchers of the study reassure clinicians about the short-term safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists, they highlighted the need for further studies with longer follow-up periods to assess long-term risks. The findings, which were consistent across six countries, emphasize the absence of a significant short-term association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and thyroid cancer. However, questions remain regarding discrepancies in previous studies and the factors influencing the risk, such as body weight and body mass index, which may be challenging to accurately measure in observational research.

Reference: Monostra M. GLP-1 receptor agonists tied to similar thyroid cancer risk as DPP-IV inhibitors. Healio. Published January 14, 2025. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20250214/glp1-receptor-agonists-tied-to-similar-thyroid-cancer-risk-as-dppiv-inhibitors