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Potential New Applications of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Across the Continuum of Cancer-Related

Agnieszka Maria Zebrowska1, Anna Borowiec2

  • 1Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Institute of Cardiology, 04-628 Warsaw, Poland.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) show promise in protecting the heart during cancer therapy. These drugs may reduce heart failure and improve survival in cancer patients, with ongoing trials to confirm efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardio-oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are established treatments for type 2 diabetes, with proven benefits for heart failure (HF) and kidney disease.
  • Cancer therapies, such as anthracyclines, carry significant risks of cardiotoxicity, leading to cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential of SGLT2i in preventing CTR-CVT.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which SGLT2i may offer cardioprotection.
  • To summarize existing evidence and highlight the need for further clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and observational studies.
  • Analysis of existing clinical trial data.
  • Exploration of proposed cardioprotective mechanisms of SGLT2i.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical and observational data suggest SGLT2i may mitigate cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity.
  • Potential benefits include preserving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), reducing HF incidence and hospitalizations, and improving overall survival.
  • Improved survival rates have been observed in cancer patients treated with SGLT2i.

Conclusions:

  • SGLT2i represent a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing CTR-CVT.
  • Further randomized controlled trials are essential to confirm the efficacy and safety of SGLT2i in cardio-oncology.
  • Establishing the role of SGLT2i in cardio-oncology could significantly impact patient outcomes.
Keywords:
anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicityanthracyclinescancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunctioncancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicitycardio-oncologycardioprotectioncardiotoxicitysodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors

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