Hormonal
Semaglutide is associated with an increased incidence of neoplasms (cancer) in clinical trials, specifically involving the thyroid, bladder, colorectal, and pancreas, although the absolute number of cases is often low and causality is not conclusive.
If you are taking semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), be aware that clinical trials showed a small number of cancer cases, particularly in the thyroid, bladder, and pancreas. However, the paper notes this is not conclusive proof that the drug causes cancer, as obesity and diabetes themselves increase cancer risk. You should discuss your personal risk factors (especially family history of thyroid cancer) with your doctor.
Semaglutide is associated with increased neoplasm and tumorigenesis, specifically in the thyroid, bladder, colorectal, and pancreas. Doses of 0.5–1.0 mg yielded 1–155 cases of cancer development in the treatment period of 30–104 weeks.
Why this rating
Based on Phase 3 clinical trial data (Table 4), which is higher quality than the preclinical data for other agonists, though the paper notes the evidence is not conclusive.
Source
The effect of GLP-1R agonists on the medical triad of obesity, diabetes, and cancer
Shahad Sabaawi Ibrahim et al. · Cancer and Metastasis Reviews · 2024
DOI 10.1007/s10555-024-10192-9
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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