- New research has concluded that drugs from the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) class do not increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- There had been concerns about these drugs because they’re prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, a condition associated with pancreatic cancer.
- Drugs from this class are effective at treating both type 2 diabetes and weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.
- Experts say anyone considering the use of these drugs should consult with their physician.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) – a class of drugs prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity – have seen a surge of popularity in recent years.
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They said this is an important finding as type 2 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of most cancers.
The study’s lead author told Medical News Today that this data should help doctors and patients alike to make informed choices when treating type 2 diabetes – and the implications for people with obesity are significant as well.
Dr. Rachel Dankner of the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel led the study.
She told Medical News Today that her earlier research showed a strong correlation between type 2 diabetes and most cancers, particularly liver cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Because of this, it was especially important to know if drugs commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes – like those in the GLP-1RA class – might help explain the association.
“We were especially interested to reveal if there is any association between the…
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