Recent research from the University of East Anglia suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes medications, may significantly benefit cancer patients by protecting heart health during and after treatment. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, analyzed data from 13 studies encompassing 88,273 cancer patients. Findings indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors can lower the risk of heart failure and reduce unplanned hospital visits related to heart issues by over 50%. This protective effect is particularly notable among breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy, a treatment known to impact cardiac health.
Lead researcher Prof. Vassilios Vassiliou highlighted that while chemotherapy has been pivotal in improving cancer survival rates, it carries a risk of cardiotoxicity, with up to 20% of patients developing heart problems and 10% experiencing heart failure. The introduction of SGLT2 inhibitors offers a promising strategy to mitigate these adverse effects, enhancing the quality of life and long-term recovery for cancer survivors. This marks the first instance where a medication has demonstrated efficacy in reducing heart failure incidents and related hospitalizations among cancer patients and survivors. Click for More Details
