No current GLP-1 label lists cancer as an approved use, so prescribing one for it would be off-label. Meta-analysis of 50 randomized trials (GLP-1s): On cancer risk rather than treatment: no significant difference overall (odds ratio 1.05). It saw a signal for thyroid cancer (1.55), more evident in longer trials, which the authors say needs further specific study. It also saw a small increase in colorectal cancer in shorter trials (1.27), which they say may reflect more diagnostic tests in people with stomach side effects. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 30 trials of these medicines on it: 0 with posted results and 13 recruiting now.
Read from the registry and PubMed every day. The newest update here is Nov 2, 2026.
Each read in the paper's abstract on Nov 6, 2026. Trials differ in who took part and how long they ran.
GLP-1s · On risk, not treatment · Meta-analysis
On cancer risk rather than treatment: no significant difference overall (odds ratio 1.05). It saw a signal for thyroid cancer (1.55), more evident in longer trials, which the authors say needs further specific study. It also saw a small increase in colorectal cancer in shorter trials (1.27), which they say may reflect more diagnostic tests in people with stomach side effects.
A trial counts when the registry's conditions or title name this, and some study a related question, such as insulin sensitivity in people with the condition. A registered trial shows a question being asked, not that the answer is yes.
| Medicine | Trials | Posted results | Recruiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirzepatide | 14 | 0 | 8 |
| Semaglutide | 13 | 0 | 4 |
| Exenatide | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Liraglutide | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mazdutide | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The registry page names each site and who can enroll. Ask your clinician before joining one.
Systematic review · Int J Mol Sci · Oct 18, 2026 · Andronescu AC et al.
Meta-analysis · Horm Metab Res · Aug 14, 2026 · Zhong X et al.
Meta-analysis · Diabetes Obes Metab · Jun 15, 2026 · Chiang CH et al. · cited by 1
Systematic review · Dis Mon · May 29, 2026 · Parekh RS et al.
Meta-analysis · Pancreatology · Apr 6, 2026 · Lauri G et al. · cited by 1
Randomized trial · J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Mar 31, 2026 · Chang YC et al.
Listed from Europe PMC as published, newest first. A listing here is not a judgement of a study's quality or a recommendation.
Written from each source's own record as it changes. Every change on GLPcompare
Meta-analysis of 50 randomized trials (GLP-1s): On cancer risk rather than treatment: no significant difference overall (odds ratio 1.05). It saw a signal for thyroid cancer (1.55), more evident in longer trials, which the authors say needs further specific study. It also saw a small increase in colorectal cancer in shorter trials (1.27), which they say may reflect more diagnostic tests in people with stomach side effects.
Not in any current label we read. A prescriber can still use a medicine off-label, but insurance often limits coverage to approved uses, so ask your plan.
Tirzepatide, with 14 registered trials on it, then Semaglutide with 13. More trials do not mean better results: read what each posted.
13 trials are recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov now, listed below with their registry pages, which name each site and who can enroll.