A recent study published in BMJ has found that popular diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, known as GLP-1 medications, do not substantially increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) are medications designed to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes by suppressing appetite and lowering blood sugar. The study analyzed health data for 145,410 patients prescribed GLP-1 medications and 291,667 patients treated with another type of diabetes drug over an average of four years.
During the study period, 76 participants treated with GLP-1 drugs and 184 participants treated with the other diabetes drug developed thyroid cancer. Despite this low incidence rate, the researchers concluded that GLP-1 use was not associated with a substantially increased risk of thyroid cancer. However, they acknowledged that a small increase in risk could not be entirely ruled out. A secondary analysis comparing GLP-1 drugs to another form of diabetes drug yielded consistent results, further supporting the initial findings. Study author Björn Pasternak emphasized that GLP-1 analogues are not associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer based on their findings.
Despite these results, some studies have suggested a potential link between GLP-1 drugs and thyroid cancer in humans. Previous research has shown an increased risk of thyroid cancer among those taking GLP-1 drugs, with some animal studies also indicating a higher incidence of thyroid C-cell tumors. Reports of GLP-1-related thyroid cancer cases to the FDA have raised concerns, including reports of deaths. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of these drugs, includes thyroid cancer as a potential side effect and warns against use in individuals with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
The European Medicines Agency has reviewed available evidence and concluded that there is no proven causal association between GLP-1 drugs and thyroid cancer. Recent research has failed to find an increased risk of thyroid cancer or other thyroid-related conditions with the use of semaglutide, a common GLP-1 medication. While concerns have been raised about the connection between these drugs and thyroid cancer, the BMJ study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting a minimal risk. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential impact of GLP-1 drugs on thyroid health, but current findings do not support a significant increase in the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
