Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: Study protocol for a multicentric cohort study
8 affiliations
- 1Department of Surgery, Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
- 2Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- 3Direction of IT service Education and Research, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- 4Department of Radiology, Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
- 5Hirslanden Clinics Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- 6Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin, Universität Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
- 7Division of Digestive Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
- 8Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
Abstract
Aim of the study: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are among the most common cystic pancreatic neoplasms, with a potential to progress to malignancy. The increasing prevalence of IPMNs, coupled with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for diabetes and obesity management, raises concerns about the safety of these medications in patients with preexisting pancreatic conditions. Despite their proven metabolic benefits, questions remain about their impact on pancreatic pathology. This study investigates the association between GLP-1 RA use and IPMN progression to address this critical gap in the current literature. Methods: This retrospective multicentric cohort study will analyse data from January 2010 to July 2026 across three Swiss tertiary institutions. Patients with a radiological diagnosis of IPMN and/or treated with GLP-1 RAs will be included. Patients will be stratified into four groups according to a 2 × 2 design based on GLP-1 RAs exposure and IPMN status. The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of GLP-1 RAs on IPMN progression using radiological criteria from the Kyoto 2023 Consensus. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in tumour markers (CA19−9, CEA), the incidence of acute pancreatitis, the progression of IPMNs to high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma, and the need for surgical intervention or altered surveillance protocols associated with GLP1 RAs use. Discussion: This study aims to explore potential associations between GLP-1 RA use and changes in IPMN characteristics, tumour markers, and disease progression. Given the retrospective design and expected small sample size (estimated at 30–60 patients in total), the study may not be powered to establish definitive correlations. Nonetheless, it will generate preliminary data to help inform hypotheses and guide future research. Any observed trends could provide valuable insights into the safety of GLP-1 RAs in patients with IPMNs and contribute to more informed clinical decision-making regarding the use of these agents in a population at risk for pancreatic disease progression. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07014709
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BibTeX
@article{lagger2026impact,
title = {{Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: Study protocol for a multicentric cohort study}},
author = {Melissa Lagger and Hugo Najberg and Almir Miftaroski and Lucien Widmer and Sara Di Renzo and Pouya Iranmanesh and Maxime Matter and Boran Tekdogan and Stéphanie Perrodin and Beat Gloor and Christian Toso and Jean-Louis Frossard and Michel Adamina and Leo Buhler},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357577},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357577},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: Study protocol for a multicentric cohort study
AU - Melissa Lagger
AU - Hugo Najberg
AU - Almir Miftaroski
AU - Lucien Widmer
AU - Sara Di Renzo
AU - Pouya Iranmanesh
AU - Maxime Matter
AU - Boran Tekdogan
AU - Stéphanie Perrodin
AU - Beat Gloor
AU - Christian Toso
AU - Jean-Louis Frossard
AU - Michel Adamina
AU - Leo Buhler
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/09
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357577
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357577
AB - Aim of the study: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are among the most common cystic pancreatic neoplasms, with a potential to progress to malignancy. The increasing prevalence of IPMNs, coupled with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for diabetes and obesity management, raises concerns about the safety of these medications in patients with preexisting pancreatic conditions. Despite their proven metabolic benefits, questions remain about their impact on pancreatic pathology. This study investigates the association between GLP-1 RA use and IPMN progression to address this critical gap in the current literature. Methods: This retrospective multicentric cohort study will analyse data from January 2010 to July 2026 across three Swiss tertiary institutions. Patients with a radiological diagnosis of IPMN and/or treated with GLP-1 RAs will be included. Patients will be stratified into four groups according to a 2 × 2 design based on GLP-1 RAs exposure and IPMN status. The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of GLP-1 RAs on IPMN progression using radiological criteria from the Kyoto 2023 Consensus. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in tumour markers (CA19−9, CEA), the incidence of acute pancreatitis, the progression of IPMNs to high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma, and the need for surgical intervention or altered surveillance protocols associated with GLP1 RAs use. Discussion: This study aims to explore potential associations between GLP-1 RA use and changes in IPMN characteristics, tumour markers, and disease progression. Given the retrospective design and expected small sample size (estimated at 30–60 patients in total), the study may not be powered to establish definitive correlations. Nonetheless, it will generate preliminary data to help inform hypotheses and guide future research. Any observed trends could provide valuable insights into the safety of GLP-1 RAs in patients with IPMNs and contribute to more informed clinical decision-making regarding the use of these agents in a population at risk for pancreatic disease progression. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07014709
SN - 1932-6203
ER -