Impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Abstract

e19538 Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience increased risks of morbidity and mortality. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) offer glycemic and cardiovascular benefits, but their impact on cancer-related outcomes is unclear. This study evaluates the association of GLP-1 RA therapy with clinical outcomes, MM-related biomarkers, and survival in MM patients with T2DM. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the TriNetX network, including data from 104 healthcare organizations (2014–2019). Two cohorts were defined: (1) MM patients with T2DM starting GLP-1 RA therapy within three months of MM diagnosis and continuing therapy for at least one year (n=1,606 before matching), and (2) MM patients with T2DM not receiving GLP-1 RAs (n=40,306 before matching). Patients included were aged 18 years and older. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) balanced systemic MM therapy, BMI, and diabetes medications (e.g., insulin, metformin), yielding 1,279 matched pairs. Outcomes included five-year mortality, ICU and non-ICU hospitalizations, and MM-related biomarkers (hemoglobin, creatinine, neutrophils, and calcium). Most recent lab values were compared in the two groups. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, hazard ratios (HR), risk differences, and T-Test statistics. Results: After PSM, baseline characteristics were well balanced. The mean age was ~ 66 years, white race was ~46%, females were ~ 40%, and hypertension was ~85%. Around 20% of MM patients received autologous transplants and ~27% received lenalidomide in the past. GLP-1 RA therapy was associated with less mortality (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.36–0.54, P < 0.01), ICU admissions (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50–0.71, P < 0.01), and non-ICU hospitalizations (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.53–0.65, P < 0.01). Patients on GLP-1 RAs had higher hemoglobin levels (11.61 ± 2.30 g/dL vs. 10.75 ± 2.47 g/dL, P < 0.01), with no significant differences in serum creatinine (119.068 µmol/L vs 115.648 µmol/L, P = 0.720) or neutrophils (P = 0.226). Patients who received GLP-1 RAs had higher serum calcium levels (9.17 mg/dL vs. 8.96 mg/dL, P < 0.01). GLP-1 RA use also decreased the incidence of septic shock (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44–0.64, P < 0.001) and pneumonia (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.49–0.70, P < 0.001). Conclusions: GLP-1 RA therapy improves survival, reduces ICU and non-ICU hospitalizations, and lowers complications in MM patients with T2DM. Biomarker trends over five years suggest potential anticancer effects. Further research should explore whether GLP-1 RAs impact other malignancies, broadening their role in cancer therapy.