THE USE OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS

Abstract

This study aims to synthesize clinical evidence from selected articles to analyze the impact and safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in immunocompromised settings. The methodology consisted of an integrative review with qualitative analysis based on epidemiological data from retrospective cohorts, phase 2b controlled clinical trials, and population-based case-control studies. The results indicate that initiating GLP-1RAs reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 52% and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 34% in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. In people living with HIV and associated lipohypertrophy, weekly semaglutide promoted a 30.6% reduction in abdominal visceral adipose tissue without exacerbating severe adverse events. A dose-dependent attenuation in progression to steatohepatitis (MASH, NAFLD) was also observed. In conclusion, the use of GLP-1RAs in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients is clinically safe and effective, demonstrating systemic immunomodulatory properties that significantly reduce cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality, with no evidence of compromising immunological safety or exacerbating opportunistic infections.