Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 6: A common diabetes drug could significantly reduce the risk of heart failure in cancer patients, potentially enhancing long-term recovery, according to new research published Thursday. The study suggests that this medication, commonly used to manage diabetes, may help protect the heart from the adverse effects of cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy.
Heart failure is a prevalent and serious condition among cancer patients, often caused both by the cancer itself and the chemotherapy treatments used to combat it. This condition can severely impact a patient's quality of life, leading to repeated hospital admissions or even death.
The research team from the University of East Anglia, UK, discovered that an SGLT2 inhibitor, a type of diabetes medication, could reduce the risk of heart failure and hospitalizations related to it by more than 50%. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, showed particularly promising results for breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy, a treatment known to have negative effects on heart health.
Lead researcher Professor Vassilios Vassiliou explained that while chemotherapy has been crucial in improving cancer patient outcomes, up to 20% of patients who receive chemotherapy eventually develop heart issues, with 10% suffering from heart failure. SGLT2 inhibitors, known for their cardiovascular benefits, can alleviate symptoms of heart failure, such as breathlessness and fatigue, and may help prevent frailty in patients.
The study analyzed 13 previous studies involving a total of 88,273 cancer patients and survivors. The findings showed a dramatic reduction in hospital admissions for heart failure, with a decrease of more than 50%. Moreover, the incidence of new heart failure cases dropped by 71%, indicating that the medication could offer significant protection during and after cancer treatment.
However, the researchers emphasized that further studies are necessary to confirm these results and fully understand the potential benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in cancer care.