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Review
. 2025 Aug;42(8):3621-3633.
doi: 10.1007/s12325-025-03257-w. Epub 2025 Jun 5.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, DPP-4 Inhibitors and the Skin-Diabetes Meets Dermatology: A Brief Narrative Review

Dimitrios Pantazopoulos  1 , Evanthia Gouveri  1 , Massimo Papi  2 , Dimitrios Papazoglou  1 , Nikolaos Papanas  3
Affiliations
Review

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, DPP-4 Inhibitors and the Skin-Diabetes Meets Dermatology: A Brief Narrative Review

Dimitrios Pantazopoulos et al. Adv Ther. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) are well-established agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management. Ongoing research has provided data on their both beneficial and adverse effects on the skin. For instance, GLP-1RAs have exhibited therapeutic benefits in psoriasis, while DPP-4is may reduce the risk of melanoma. Moreover, both of these agents may play a pivotal role in improving wound healing. However, untoward effects, such as bullous pemphigoid, highlight the need for patient monitoring. This review summarises the beneficial and adverse effects of GLP-1RAs and DPP-4is in dermatological conditions and in systemic diseases with cutaneous manifestations.

Keywords: Adverse effects; Cutaneous disease; DPP4is; GLP-1RAs; Skin; T2DM.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of Interest: Dimitrios Pantazopoulos and Massimo Papi has no conflicts of interest. Evanthia Gouveri has attended conferences sponsored by Berlin-Chemie, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim; received speaker honoraria by Boehringer Ingelheim and Menarini. Dimitrios Papazoglou declares associations with Menarini, Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi-Aventis. Nikolaos Papanas has been an advisory board member of AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Menarini, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Takeda and TrigoCare International; has participated in sponsored studies by AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, GSK, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis; has received honoraria as a speaker for AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Elpen, Menarini, MSD, Mylan, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Vianex; and has attended conferences sponsored by TrigoCare International, Bayer, Eli Lilly, Galenica, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis. Ethical Approval: This review is based on previously conducted studies and meta-analyses and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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