A widely used diabetes medication may offer a new way to improve long-term recovery for cancer patients, particularly by reducing the risk of heart failure, according to a groundbreaking study from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Many cancer survivors, especially those who undergo chemotherapy, are at heightened risk of developing heart failure. This condition, which can arise from both cancer and its treatments, often leads to hospitalizations and significantly impacts quality of life. However, new research indicates that a class of diabetes drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors could play a crucial role in preventing or mitigating this issue.
The study, published recently, is the first to demonstrate that any medication can effectively reduce heart failure incidents and hospitalizations in cancer survivors. The SGLT2 inhibitors, which are already known for their cardiovascular benefits, were found to reduce the risk of heart failure and related hospital visits by over 50%.
Particularly notable were the results for breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy, a treatment known to damage the heart. In this group, the medication showed an even more impressive effect, reducing the incidence of new heart failure cases by as much as 71%, signaling a significant potential for improving patient outcomes.
Professor Vassilios Vassiliou, the study’s lead researcher from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and a Consultant Cardiologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, emphasized the importance of the findings: “Cancer remains one of the leading causes of premature death globally. While chemotherapy has dramatically improved cancer survival rates, it can cause heart problems in up to 20% of patients, with 10% developing heart failure. This new evidence suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors could help protect these patients’ hearts during and after treatment.”
The team’s research analyzed data from 13 studies involving more than 88,000 cancer patients and survivors, revealing a substantial reduction in hospital admissions related to heart failure. This breakthrough is especially promising for breast cancer patients, whose chemotherapy treatments often lead to cardiac complications.
The study’s findings are expected to spur further investigations into the use of SGLT2 inhibitors as a standard treatment for cancer survivors at risk of heart failure. The research was a collaboration between UEA, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and several institutions across Europe, including Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, La Paz University Hospital in Spain, and the University of Milan.
Professor Vassiliou concluded, “We are optimistic that this medication could eventually become a routine part of cancer care, offering better protection for patients’ heart health post-treatment.”
This promising discovery may mark a new era in cancer treatment, where heart health is proactively managed alongside cancer care.
Related topics:
Breakthrough Diabetes Treatment Increases Insulin-Producing Cells by 700%
Shorter Glucose Test Post-Pregnancy Could Enhance Diabetes Prevention
Understanding Brittle Diabetes: A Closer Look at Unstable Blood Sugar Fluctuations
