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The following is a summary of “Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment in patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” published in the November 2024 issue of Endocrinology by Shabil et al.   

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a top cause of cancer-related mortality globally, is more common in people with chronic liver conditions and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are effective for diabetes management and may influence liver disease progression.   

Researchers conducted a retrospective study determining whether GLP-1 RAs reduce HCC risk in people with T2DM.   

They reviewed 8 studies from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (August 1, 2024) to evaluate HCC risk in patients with T2DM treated with GLP-1 RAs. A random-effects model was used to analyze pooled HRs and 95% CIs, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic.   

The results showed GLP-1 RA treatment significantly reduced HCC risk reached to insulin or no GLP-1 RA therapy (pooled HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.55, I² = 74%). Compared to metformin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs did not significantly affect risk (for DPP-4 inhibitors, HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.27 for metformin; HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.39). Additionally, GLP-1 RAs reduced risk compared to sulfonylureas (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.93).   

They concluded that GLP-1 RAs may reduce HCC risk in patients with T2DM compared to insulin or no GLP-1 RA treatment, emphasizing the need for additional trials to confirm their role in managing liver disease.   

Source: bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12902-024-01775-2