GLP1 Agonists like Ozempic Linked to Lower Risk of Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: Swedish Study
A groundbreaking nationwide study conducted by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has revealed a potential breakthrough in the treatment of severe liver diseases for individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease. The study, published in the prestigious journal Gut, suggests that GLP1 agonists, including the popular drug Ozempic, could significantly reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer in this patient population.
GLP1 agonists are primarily used to lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, their appetite-reducing properties have led to their increased use as a weight-loss drug. Now, researchers have discovered an additional benefit of these drugs – a reduced risk of liver damage.
To investigate this potential link, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet conducted a register-based study that included all individuals in Sweden with chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. They compared the risk of severe liver damage between those who were treated with GLP1 agonists and those who were not. The results were striking – individuals who took the drug for an extended period had a significantly lower risk of developing more severe forms of liver disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Axel Wester, assistant professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet and first author of the study, explains the significance of these findings: “Fatty liver disease affects a significant portion of the population in Sweden, with many individuals also having type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, there are currently no approved drugs to reduce the risk of severe liver disease. Our findings suggest that GLP1 agonists could be a game-changer in preventing these conditions.”
Interestingly, the study also revealed that discontinuing the use of GLP1 agonists resulted in a loss of the protective effect. However, individuals who continued taking the medication over a ten-year period were found to be half as likely to develop severe liver disease.
While these findings are promising, the researchers acknowledge that further clinical trials are needed to confirm the results. However, conducting such trials would require several years. In the meantime, the researchers are utilizing existing registry data and have built a new database called HERALD, which provides access to blood samples from patients in Region Stockholm. This will allow them to investigate the effect of GLP1 agonists in more detail and further strengthen the hypothesis that these drugs can reduce the risk of severe liver disease.
The study was primarily funded by Region Stockholm (CIMED), the Swedish Research Council, and the Swedish Cancer Society. It is important to note that while Hannes Hagström’s research group has received funding from various pharmaceutical companies, including Astra Zeneca and Novo Nordisk, no industry-supported funding was obtained for this specific study.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study conducted in Sweden has shed light on a potential breakthrough in the treatment of severe liver diseases for individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease. The use of GLP1 agonists, such as Ozempic, has been linked to a lower risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. While further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings, the results provide hope for individuals at risk of developing severe liver disease. If confirmed, GLP1 agonists could become an effective treatment option to prevent these conditions and improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
