A French study has highlighted a link between taking certain medications and an increased risk of thyroid cancer. For the European Medicines Agency, this link is not “established”.
A French study published in early 2023 suggested a possible link between the use of drugs prescribed against diabetes, obesity or even overweight and a riskincreased” thyroid cancer, particularly after 1 to 3 years of treatment. In the USA, the Food & Drug Administration contraindicate these medications in people who have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or who have an inherited thyroid disease called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). It’s not not the case in France. Also, the National Medicines Agency (ANSM) asked the Pharmacovigilance Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) toevaluate the safety signal issued by theFrench study.
On November 3, theANSM informs on its site that “THE available data do not currently allow us to establish a link between taking drugs in the class of GLP-1 analogues (glucagon-like peptide-1) and occurrence of thyroid cancer“. GLP-1 analogs are used to treat poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, as a complement to diet and exercise. Some Medicines are authorized for the treatment of obesity and overweight under certain conditions.
What medications are affected?
In Francethe products concerned are:
- liraglutide (Victoza, SaxendaXultophy),
- semaglutide (Ozempic),
- exenatide (Bydureon, Byetta),
- dulaglutide (Trulicity).
To reach its conclusions, the PRAC reviewed data from the published literature, including other observational studies as well as cumulative data which includes non-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing data. Following the conclusions of the European Medicines Agency, the drug leaflet and SmPC (summary of product characteristics) remain unchanged. The medicines agency in France specifies that “THE risk of thyroid cancer remains closely monitored awaiting new data.