This study investigates the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), a type of pancreatic cystic neoplasm that can progress to malignancy. With the increasing use of GLP-1 RAs for managing diabetes and obesity, concerns about their potential to influence pancreatic conditions, like IPMNs, have emerged. Although GLP-1 RAs are generally safe, their effects on pre-existing pancreatic conditions remain unclear.
The study aims to evaluate whether GLP-1 RA use in IPMN patients is linked to changes in pancreatic cyst characteristics, the incidence of acute pancreatitis, variations in tumor markers, and the progression of IPMNs to high-grade dysplasia or malignancy. A retrospective analysis will be conducted using medical data from patients diagnosed with IPMNs and treated with GLP-1 RAs between 2010 and 2024 at three Swiss hospitals. Key outcomes will include radiological changes, the incidence of acute pancreatitis, and potential shifts in IPMN surveillance or need for surgical intervention