Researchers at Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Israel report that Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists do not raise the risk of pancreatic cancer among people with diabetes. The findings appeared in a pharmacology-focused issue of JAMA, with data drawn from a large clinical study (citation: JAMA Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology).
Ozempic is part of a class of medications that lower blood sugar and help control appetite by activating the GLP-1 receptor. This mechanism mirrors the action of a natural hormone released after eating, which signals the pancreas to release insulin when blood glucose rises.
As the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists becomes more widespread, questions about potential adverse effects have grown. Earlier research from the 2010s raised concerns that these drugs might elevate pancreatic cancer risk.
The Israeli study compared outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes who used GLP-1 receptor agonists with those who used insulin alone. The analysis covered 543,595 adults who were overweight, following them for several years to observe cancer development.
Initial data collection gathered health histories before researchers began monitoring participants over time. Across the study period, pancreatic cancer emerged in 1,665 individuals over nine years. Importantly, the rate of pancreatic cancer did not differ meaningfully between those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists and those on insulin therapy (citation: JAMA Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology).
Beyond cancer risk, GLP-1 receptor agonists offer several advantages for managing type 2 diabetes. They can support weight management and help control blood pressure while reducing the likelihood of hypoglycemia, a dangerous drop in blood glucose levels. These benefits can complement other diabetes treatments and support overall metabolic health (citation: JAMA Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology).
In sum, large-scale data from diverse populations suggest no extra risk of pancreatic cancer with GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with insulin. This finding provides reassurance for clinicians and patients weighing treatment options for blood sugar control and weight management in type 2 diabetes.
Ongoing surveillance remains important as new GLP-1 based therapies are introduced and as real-world usage patterns evolve. Clinicians are encouraged to consider a full range of outcomes when individualizing therapy, balancing efficacy in glycemic control with potential effects on cancer risk and other metabolic factors (citation: JAMA Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology).