According to a recent meta-analysis, treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) is not associated with an increased risk for cancer.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 157 studies (DPP4i group, n=66,825; control group, n=61,524) identified through a literature search on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.
The findings reveal the use of DPP4is was not associated with an increased risk for overall cancer (Mantel-Haenszel OR [MH-OR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00; P=.065). When placebo-controlled trials were considered, DPP4i use was associated with a lower risk for cancer (MH-OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99; P=.030). A post hoc analysis of placebo-controlled trials showed that DPP4i use was associated with a substantial reduction in the risk for colorectal cancer (MH-OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53-0.94; P=.020).
Writing in the journal Acta Diabetologica, the authors said that the possible protective effect of DPP4i on colorectal cancer was a promising finding; however, it needs to be further investigated with larger samples of patients.
