Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
11:02
Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice: A Model for Immunotherapy Development
Published on: October 30, 2013
21.3K
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and the Short-term Risk of Bladder Cancer: An International Multisite
Devin Abrahami1,2,3, Helen Tesfaye3, Hui Yin2
1Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Diabetes Care
|September 28, 2022
Summary
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors show no increased bladder cancer risk compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists or DPP-4 inhibitors. This study provides reassurance regarding the short-term safety of SGLT2 inhibitors for bladder cancer incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes treatments, including SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1RAs, and DPP-4 inhibitors, have varying safety profiles.
- Concerns have been raised regarding potential associations between certain diabetes medications and cancer risk, necessitating robust investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the risk of early bladder cancer events.
- To compare the bladder cancer risk of SGLT2 inhibitors against glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, new-user, active comparator cohort study was conducted using large healthcare databases (2013-2020).
- Two cohorts were established: SGLT2 inhibitors vs. GLP-1RAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors vs. DPP-4 inhibitors.
- Weighted Cox proportional hazards models and pooled random-effects models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for incident bladder cancer.
Main Results:
- SGLT2 inhibitors were not associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer compared to GLP-1RAs (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81-1.00).
- Similarly, SGLT2 inhibitors showed no increased bladder cancer risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitors (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91-1.09).
- Results remained consistent across sensitivity analyses, confirming the primary findings.
Conclusions:
- The use of SGLT2 inhibitors is not linked to a higher risk of bladder cancer when compared with GLP-1RAs or DPP-4 inhibitors.
- These findings contrast with some previous randomized controlled trials and offer reassurance on the short-term safety of SGLT2 inhibitors concerning bladder cancer incidence.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Glucose Transporters
24.0K
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
24.0K
01:55Secondary Active Transport
122.7K
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
122.7K
01:26Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
270
Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
270
01:26Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
32.1K
Complex carbohydrates consumed cannot be absorbed into the small intestine in their original form. First, they must be hydrolyzed to a monosaccharide form such as glucose or galactose. These monosaccharides are then transported across the intestinal membrane and into the blood via transcellular transport. The intestinal epithelial cells allow the movement of these monosaccharides with a defined 'entry' through membrane transporter proteins present on their apical membrane and...
32.1K
01:19Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
240
α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Acarbose and miglitol are...
240
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
99
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
99