Individual SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Risk of New-Onset Cancer in Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Abstract
Purpose
Preclinical studies suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) may have cancer-preventive effects; however, clinical evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between the use of SGLT-2is (empagliflozin or dapagliflozin) and the incidence of new-onset cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Materials and Methods
This nationwide retrospective cohort study used Korean national health claims data. Patients with type 2 diabetes who started empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, or other glucose-lowering drugs (oGLDs) between 2016 and 2019 were included, and propensity score matching between the SGLT-2is users and oGLDs users was applied. The primary outcome was overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidence of 11 site-specific cancers. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer incidence adjusted for covariates were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model.
Results
After propensity score matching, each group comprised 20,456 patients. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of new-onset cancer in either the empagliflozin or dapagliflozin groups when compared to the oGLDs user group (adjusted HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.65-1.12; adjusted HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.66-1.14, respectively). Similar results were observed in site-specific cancer incidence. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in overall or site-specific cancer incidence between the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 20,456 participants or records.
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