Exploring the Impact of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Genitourinary Toxicities in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Case Study and Discussion

Abstract

Radiation therapy is a common treatment modality offered to patients with localized prostate cancer. It can be associated with early radiation-induced toxicities including dysuria, nocturia, frequency, urgency, spasm, and, rarely, hematuria. Early toxicities usually resolve once the treatment period has ended. Chronic toxicities are less common, and rarely, patients may experience radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and hematuria months or years after radiation. We herein describe the case of a 65-year-old man with a past medical history of type-2 diabetes mellitus who experienced hemorrhagic cystitis for months following his radiation therapy. The patient was on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor therapy (empagliflozin), which we highlight as a potential risk factor for hemorrhagic cystitis. After cessation of Jardiance and initiation of semaglutide (GLP-1 agonist), his urinary symptoms significantly improved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case reported.