GLP-1 receptor agonists vs 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer primary prevention in high-risk men: A real-world head-to-head comparison.

Abstract

e17134 Background: Despite being the most prevalent malignancy among men, prostate cancer (PC) lacks FDA-approved primary prevention therapies. Current options, such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), offer only modest risk reduction—approximately 23–25%—as shown in the PCPT and REDUCE trials. Emerging preclinical data indicate that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) may offer a novel alternative by inhibiting oncogenic pathways and inducing apoptosis in PC cell lines. To investigate this potential, we conducted the first real-world comparative analysis of PC incidence among high-risk men receiving GLP-1RAs versus 5-ARIs. Methods: Using the TriNetX global collaborative network (150M patients), we identified men with elevated PC risk (genetic risk, family history, or high-risk demographics/comorbidities). GLP-1RA users (cohort A) were propensity-score-matched 1:1 with 5-ARI users (cohort B) on demographics, metabolic comorbidities, baseline PSA, BMI and HbA1c. A minimum of 2 month’s prescription was required. The primary endpoint was incident PC. The secondary endpoint was adverse events related to GLP-1RA and 5-ARI. Patients with outcomes before the study inclusion were excluded. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed, adjusting for screening frequency and baseline BMI. Kaplan–Meier curves assessed cumulative incidence, Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs, 95% CI), and logistic regression analyzed binary outcomes. Results: After matching, 118,904 high-risk men were identified (59,452 patients per cohort). Cohorts had comparable demographics with a mean age of 48 years, 77% White, 9% Black, and 2% Asian. GLP-1RA users had higher mean A1C (6.3% vs 5.7%) and BMI (38 vs 31), while 5-ARI users had higher mean PSA (3.1 vs 1.3). Median follow-up was 7 years for both cohorts. PC incidence was 2.10% (1,245/59,189) in GLP-1RAs users versus 2.85% (1,689/59,164) in 5-ARI users (NNT 133). GLP-1RAs were associated with a 20% reduction in PC risk (HR: 0.803; CI: 0.746–0.864). Safety outcomes showed that GLP-1RAs were associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction and nausea/vomiting. In contrast, GLP-1RAs were associated with lower risks of abdominal pain and constipation. No significant associations were observed for gynecomastia or diarrhea. Conclusions: In this large-scale, head-to-head comparison, GLP-1RAs demonstrated superior efficacy over 5-ARIs, providing a 20% relative risk reduction in PC incidence among high-risk men. Given the global surge in GLP-1RA utilization, these findings suggest a profound public health opportunity: the ability to achieve systemic oncologic protection through existing metabolic therapies. If validated by prospective trials, GLP-1RAs could transition from metabolic blockbusters to a cornerstone of precision oncology and primary cancer prevention.