Evidence Hub

Do SGLT2 Inhibitors Have a Place in the Oncology Toolbox?

Shoshi HR, Umar BU, Alam T, Haque MZ, Rahman SMN

2026

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have recently emerged as potential anticancer agents due to their effects on tumor metabolism and growth signaling pathways. This article presents a viewpoint on the growing body of preclinical evidence linking SGLT2 inhibition to antitumor activity, including reduced glucose uptake, AMPK activation, mTOR suppression, and cell cycle arrest. Agents such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin have demonstrated efficacy across various cancer models, though clinical validation remains limited. We propose that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer a promising therapeutic strategy in metabolically active tumors, especially when guided by molecular profiling. While further research is needed, these findings support reconsidering the oncologic relevance of this drug class within a personalized medicine framework.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free