Key result
Semaglutide linked to ~53% lower 3P-MACE risk in anthracycline-treated NHL patients.
Why the study?
Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors. Although semaglutide has shown cardioprotective effects in non-cancer populations, its impact in patients undergoing high-risk anthracycline-based chemotherapy was unknown.
Does concurrent semaglutide exposure reduce mortality and major cardiovascular and renal complications in adults with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy?
Cohort (n=1,988)
Yes
Does concurrent semaglutide exposure reduce mortality and major cardiovascular and renal complications in adults with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy?
In a real-world propensity-matched cohort of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients treated with anthracyclines, concurrent semaglutide use was associated with significantly improved overall survival and reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, heart failure, and acute kidney injury.
This observational finding in lymphoma survivors should not yet change practice; it leaves open semaglutide's role in anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
Introduction Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity remains a primary driver of morbidity and mortality in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) survivors. While semaglutide has demonstrated cardioprotective effects in non-cancer populations, its impact on patients undergoing high-risk chemotherapy is unknown. Methods We identified adults with NHL receiving anthracycline-based regimens within the TriNetX database. Patients were stratified into two cohorts: those with concurrent semaglutide exposure and a control group without exposure. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to balance baseline demographics, disease characteristics, medications and cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors. Results After matching, two well-balanced cohorts of 994 patients were formed. The median follow-up was 584 days for the semaglutide cohort and 730 days for the control group. Semaglutide was associated with significant benefits in overall survival (HR=0.20, 95%CI: 0.15-0.26; p<0.001). For cardiovascular outcomes, semaglutide demonstrated significant protection across: 3P-MACE: HR=0.47 (95%CI: 0.33-0.67, p<0.001), Acute Myocardial Infarction: HR=0.41 (95% CI: 0.26-0.64, p<0.001), Heart Failure: HR-0.60 (95%CI: 0.44-0.82, p=0.001) and Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter: HR=0.42 (95%CI: 0.28-0.62, p<0.001). Furthermore, a significant reduction in Acute Kidney Injury was observed (HR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.21–0.4, p<0.001) and a trend for reduced rates of all-cause hospitalizations (HR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.49-1.12, p=0.156). No significant differences were observed in the risk of stroke (HR=0.77, p = 0.344). Conclusion In this large-scale, real-world analysis, semaglutide was associated with a significant primary prevention of major cardiac and renal complications in NHL patients receiving anthracyclines. These findings suggest that GLP-1RAs may possess potent cardioprotective and potentially pleiotropic oncological benefits that warrant prospective validation in cardio-oncology trials.
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Briasoulis et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Anthracycline-treated Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (n=1,988). Semaglutide vs. No semaglutide exposure was evaluated on 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3P-MACE) and overall survival (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.33-0.67, p=<0.001). Semaglutide exposure in anthracycline-treated NHL patients reduced 3P-MACE (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.33-0.67) and improved overall survival (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.15-0.26; both p<0.001).
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