Pancreatic Alteration Induced by Incretins is Consistent with the Changes at the Early Stages of Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in the Hamster Model

Pour PM and Talmon G

Department of Pathology, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, USA
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska, Medical Center, USA

^*Correspondance to: Parviz M Pour 

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Abstract:

Background: GLP-1 analogs and DDP4 inhibitors, known as incretins, are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Although several published clinical and experimental studies point to the beneficial effects of these drugs with negligible mild side effects, except for acute pancreatitis, the detailed long-term effects of these drugs on the pancreas was missing. A recent report by the investigators at UCLA showing a profound expansion of pancreatic endocrine cells, hyperplasia of ductal epithelium and induction of endocrine lesions initiated serious concern about the safety of these drugs.
Methods: These alterations were almost identical to those found at the early stages of pancreatic carcinogenesis in the hamster model. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the alterations published by the UCLA investigators with the alterations of the pancreas occurring during pancreatic carcinogenesis in the hamster model. Results and
Discussion: The results heighten the safety concern of these drugs and suggest that in cretins should be considered promoters of silent malignant pancreatic lesions. The use of these drugs should be restricted to genuine long-standing diabetics and be withheld from individuals with new-onset diabetes (Type 3 diabetes) who exhibit asymptomatic pancreatic cancer.

Keywords:

Glp-1; Pancreatic cancer; Islet

Cite the Article:

Pour PM, Talmon G. Pancreatic Alteration Induced by Incretins is Consistent with the Changes at the Early Stages of Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in the Hamster Model. Clin Oncol. 2016; 1: 1085.