Potential anticancer effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors Canagliflozin and Dapagliflozin

The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, specifically canagliflozin and dapagliflozin, has expanded from diabetes treatment to promising anticancer applications. Epidemiological links between diabetes and certain cancers highlight the potential of these agents in oncology, as SGLT2 is highly expressed in various tumor types. By inhibiting glucose uptake, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin disrupt glycolysis-dependent tumor growth, promoting apoptosis and reducing proliferation across multiple cancer models, including liver, prostate, and lung cancers. Key pathways involved in these effects include PI3K/AKT, mTOR, and AMPK signaling. Importantly, the combination of SGLT2 inhibitors with chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been shown to enhance antitumor efficacy and reduce treatment resistance, underscoring their potential as adjunctive therapies. However, adverse effects, such as increased risk of infection, and the need for more comprehensive mechanistic studies limit current applications. Future research should focus on expanding the understanding of these mechanisms, evaluating efficacy in additional tumor types, and optimizing combination therapies to mitigate side effects. SGLT2 inhibitors thus represent a novel class of metabolic modulators with potential for significant impact in cancer therapeutics.