Diabetes patients may be surprised to find out that certain medications known as incretin mimetics have been linked to the development of pancreatic cancer.

A study published in the journal Diabetes, found that eight organ donors who took incretin mimetic medications, including Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR, had tumors within the pancreas. In addition, researchers also noted that patients taking incretin mimetic drugs also had a pancreases 40 percent larger than normal.

The pancreatic cancer and diabetes relationship has also been the subject of another study, in which John Hopkins researchers reported that type-2 diabetes patients hospitalized with pancreatitis were twice as likely to be taking an incretin mimetic drug verses another diabetic medication.

Incretin Mimetics Overview

Incretin mimetics effectively manage type-2 diabetes because they mimic the natural hormone “incretin,” which is how the body knows to release insulin after you eat to lower blood sugar.

Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin) are two of the most widely prescribed incretin mimetic medications. These type-2 diabetes medications also work in the following ways:

• Slows the emptying of the stomach after eating
• Keeps blood sugar at a normal range without causing weight gain
• Helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar levels rise

Incretin Mimetics include:

• saxagliptin – Onglyza, Kombiglyze XR
• exenatides – Byetta and Byuderon
• liraglutide – Victoza
• alogliptin – Nesina, Kazano and Oseni, and
• linagliptin – Tradjenta and Jentadueto
• sitagliptin – Januvia, Janumet, Janumet XR, and Juvisync

Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer

In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the European Medicines Agency reviewed incretin mimetic drugs to see if they could determine a pancreatic cancer and diabetes relationship. However, both agencies could not find enough evidence to support that claim.

The British Medical Journal has been critical of the agencies as well as the pharmaceutical industry in general for downplaying the safety of incretin mimetic drugs.

Pancreatic cancer affects nearly 49,000 individuals each year and according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America it has a two percent survival rate beyond a five-year diagnosis.

Onglyza patients should look for the following pancreatic cancer symptoms:

• Abdomen pain
• Dark Urine
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Floating, smelly stools
• Unexpected weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Onglyza Side Effects

Other complications related to the incretin mimetic drug Onglyza include an increased risk of heart failure. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers followed nearly 16,500 type-2 diabetes patients for two years and found that those taking Onglyza (saxagliptin) had an increased chance of being hospitalized for heart failure complications.

An FDA advisory committee voted that Onglyza’s drug label should be updated to include the risk of heart failure a few months ago.

Incretin Mimetic Lawsuits

The increase of studies concerning pancreatic cancer and diabetes relationship may lead to an increase in lawsuits. Hundreds of lawsuits against incretin mimetic manufacturers are currently centralized in a multidistrict litigation in southern California.

In general, plaintiffs claim that manufacturers AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb failed to adequately warn about the risky side effects. Contact a Onglyza attorney to find out if you have legal claim.