"There is no immediate need for action, and patients should under no circumstances stop taking any medication, and should consult their physicians to be advised on their diabetes therapy," observed Dr. Smith of Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
"Although there are important questions which currently need to be answered with respect to the safety of incretin-based medications, there is no definitive evidence pointing to an increased cancer risk. The only robust way of measuring comparative risk is with randomized, controlled trials that record adverse events."
Dr. Butler noted that because of a possibly protective effect of metformin in relation to the development of cancer, GLP-1–based therapies should always be prescribed in association with the drug, which is in accordance with current diabetes treatment guidelines.
The FDA AERS database review was supported by the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation. Dr. Butler and Dr. Smith stated they had no conflicts of interest Dr. Nuack has received research support via his institution and acted as an advisory board member, consultant, or speaker for multiple pharmaceutical companies including the manufacturers of incretin-based therapies.