Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40361378›Full record

ArticleCancers2025

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists and Cancer Prevention: Methodological Pitfalls in Observational Studies.

Matthew Harris, Michelle Harvie, Andrew G Renehan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancers, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Matthew HarrisDivision of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7326-3413
Michelle HarvieDivision of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-9761-3089
Andrew G RenehanDivision of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.

Funding

Cancer Research UK SEBCATP-2023/100010
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObesity, commonly approximated by body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m OBJECTIVES/

methodsThe aim of this opinion paper is to critically appraise the methodological challenges and pitfalls associated with studying the question 'does weight loss through use of GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce cancer risk' through observational studies, and exemplify this through critique of a recent study published in this journal.

resultsWe modified the ROBINS-E framework for assessing risk of bias, identifying seven methodological criteria specific to this research question, against which data should be interpreted. These include adequate adjustment for key parameters of body fatness; immortal time bias; treatment allocation bias; survival bias; cumulative drug dose effect; sufficient sojourn time between drug intervention and cancer presentation; and treatment effect specific to obesity-related cancers. We found that 6 out of 7 methodological criteria were at high risk of bias.

conclusionsCancer prevention through GLP-1 receptor agonist use should be explored; however, there are several methodological challenges to overcome in understanding this link before it can inform clinical practice and policy.

Indexed as

cancerglucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonistsobesity

Identifiers

PMID40361378
PMCPMC12070977

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.