GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Associated with Lower Risk of Lung Cancer in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital has found that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed a large cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes and found that GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of lung cancer compared to users of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i). The study's findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs may provide benefits beyond glycemic control, including reduced risks of lung malignancy, pulmonary infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed a cohort of 3,389,059 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020.
  • The study created two cohorts of new GLP-1 RA (n = 201,153) and new DPP4i (n = 323,114) users through 1:1 propensity score matching.
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of lung cancer than DPP4i users, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.86 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.80-0.94.
  • Reduced risk of influenza and pneumonia (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92-0.96) and pulmonary fibrosis (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.98) were also noted in GLP-1 RA users.
  • The study suggests that GLP-1 RAs may lower the risks of lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory infections, meriting further prospective study.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed a cohort of 3,389,059 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020.
  • The study created two cohorts of new GLP-1 RA (n = 201,153) and new DPP4i (n = 323,114) users through 1:1 propensity score matching.
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of lung cancer than DPP4i users, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.86 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.80-0.94.
  • Reduced risk of influenza and pneumonia (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92-0.96) and pulmonary fibrosis (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.98) were also noted in GLP-1 RA users.

Sources:

  • Association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy and respiratory illness in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective observational cohort study. Scientific Reports, 2025,15(1):1-12.
  • The publisher for Scientific Reports is Nature Portfolio.
  • A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19657-5.