Dapagliflozin and Prostate Cancer: What the Latest Research Shows

Scientific Editor. "Dapagliflozin and Prostate Cancer." Keep Healthy, 27 January 2026. Available at: https://keep-healthy.com/dapagliflozin-prostate-cancer/

A class of diabetes medication known as SGLT2 inhibitors, which includes drugs such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin. May help slow prostate cancer progression in men receiving hormone therapy. That is the suggestion from a large observational study published in early 2026, which analysed health records from thousands of men with prostate cancer over a period of more than five years.

What the study examined

Researchers analysed health records from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, identifying 14,223 men with prostate cancer who had started androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) the standard hormone treatment used to slow prostate cancer growth by reducing testosterone levels. Participants were followed for a median of approximately five and a half years, with an average age of 74 years. The study compared outcomes between men who were also taking SGLT2 inhibitors and those using other diabetes medications.

What the findings showed

The results were notable. Compared to men using other diabetes medications, those taking SGLT2 inhibitors showed a 37% lower risk of hormone therapy losing its effectiveness, a stage known as castration-resistant prostate cancer. They also showed a 56% lower risk of later-line prostate cancer drugs subsequently failing. These benefits appeared consistent across different SGLT2 inhibitors evaluated in the study.

How did metformin compare?

The study also examined metformin, another widely used diabetes drug that has attracted interest in cancer research. Metformin did not appear to slow prostate cancer progression in this analysis. Men taking metformin did show improved overall survival compared to those not taking it, which is consistent with previously published data. But this benefit did not extend to cancer-specific outcomes in the same way that SGLT2 inhibitors appeared to.

Why might SGLT2 inhibitors have an effect?

The biological mechanisms behind these findings are not yet fully understood. Laboratory research suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may influence how cancer cells use energy, reduce insulin-related growth signals, or lower systemic inflammation, all of which are factors associated with cancer progression. However, these are hypotheses based on laboratory data and have not yet been confirmed in clinical trials involving prostate cancer patients specifically.

What are the limitations of this research?

It is important to note that this was an observational study, meaning it tracked what happened to patients in real-world settings rather than testing the drug in a controlled clinical trial. Observational studies can identify associations but cannot prove that SGLT2 inhibitors directly caused the improved cancer outcomes. Other variables, such as differences in overall health between patient groups or how consistently medications were taken, may have influenced the results. The authors themselves stress that randomised clinical trials are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

What does this mean for patients today?

For men currently on hormone therapy for prostate cancer who also have type 2 diabetes, these findings raise an interesting question worth discussing with their oncologist or GP, particularly if they are currently prescribed a different class of diabetes medication. However, no patient should change or start any medication based on observational data alone.

What the findings also reinforce is the broader importance of managing metabolic health alongside cancer treatment. Lifestyle factors that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes including regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing intake of processed sugary foods, may also contribute to better cancer outcomes. This is supported by a growing body of nutritional research.

The role of nutritional strategies in prostate cancer

While pharmaceutical research into repurposed drugs like dapagliflozin continues, nutritional interventions have also demonstrated meaningful results in the prostate cancer setting. A randomised controlled trial published in European Urology Oncology examined the combination of a phytochemical-rich supplement and a multi-strain probiotic in men with early-stage prostate cancer under active surveillance. Results showed slowed PSA progression, reduced inflammatory markers and improved quality of life findings presented at the British Urology Group conference in 2025.

These nutritional approaches and pharmaceutical strategies are not mutually exclusive. For men with prostate cancer, a combination of evidence-based lifestyle choices, appropriate medical treatment and targeted nutritional support may together offer the most comprehensive approach to managing disease progression.

What comes next in the research

The research community is now calling for prospective randomised trials to properly evaluate whether SGLT2 inhibitors can be repurposed as part of prostate cancer treatment. Until those results are available, the current findings should be seen as hypothesis-generating rather than practice-changing. Patients are encouraged to speak with their clinical team before making any changes to existing treatment or medication plans.