Effect of Glp-1 Receptor Agonist Use on Polyp Burden in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Case Series
Recommended Citation
Jomaa D, Rahman S, Koeppe E, Stoffel E. Effect of Glp-1 Receptor Agonist Use on Polyp Burden in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Case Series. Fam Cancer 2026; 25.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
7-7-2026
Publication Title
Fam Cancer
Keywords
glucagon like peptide 1, glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, adult, aged, antiinflammatory activity, body weight loss, case study, clinical article, colectomy, colon mucosa, colorectal polyp, conference abstract, drug dose, drug therapy, familial adenomatous polyposis, human, inflammation, male, medical record review, middle aged, obesity, phase 1 clinical trial, polyp, polyposis, surgery, therapy, young adult
Abstract
Background and Aim: Recent studies suggest glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic), may modulate inflammatory pathways as well as aid with weight loss, with potential to reduce risk for cancer. We evaluated colorectal polyp burden in patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) before and after use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Methods/Clinical Presentation/Preliminary Data: We used retrospective chart review to identify five patients with confirmed FAP who had been started on GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss (n = 3) or diabetes (n = 2). All five patients were obese (mean BMI 46, range 39–65) and took the GLP-1 for a mean of 15 months (range 1–28 months). Four patients had attenuated FAP with intact colons and one was post-colectomy [Table 1]. Three patients demonstrated stable colorectal polyp burden (± 1), one had a reduction in polyp number by 84% (from 32 to 5), and one had an increase in polyp count from 100 + to 200 + . The patient with the most significant reduction in colorectal polyp number had been taking the GLP-1 agonist for > 2 years and was the only one who experienced weight loss > 10 kg during the study timeframe (D = -19.5 kg). Results/Discussion/Project Plan and Timeline:A subset of obese FAP patients may experience reduction in polyp burden after GLP-1 receptor agonist use. Conclusions/Requirements for Collaboration: Further studies are warranted to validate GLP-1 receptor agonists’ efficacy and elucidate potential mechanisms for polyp reduction in FAP which may involve anti-inflammatory effects and/or metabolic modulation in the colonic mucosa. (Table presented)
Volume
25
