Patients with chronic kidney disease have had no treatment options to slow the certain progression to renal failure. Enter SGLT2 inhibitors. A key clinical trial investigator explains.
In an interview with University of Glasgow cardiologist Professor John McMurray about results of the recent DAPA-CKD trial he told Patient Care he doesn't find the word "revolutionary" at all an exaggeration to describe the SGLT2 inhibitor class of drugs.
McMurray was lead investigator for DAPA-CKD. The primary endpoint, a composite of decline in eGFR ≥50%, end-stage kidney disease, death from renal causes, or cardiovascular death for dapagliflozin vs placebo, was 9.2% vs. 14.5%. The benefit of dapagliflozin on the primary endpoint was consistent in patients with and without type 2 DM. The trial was stopped early due to benefit.
He discusses the results in the context of the vast unmet need for treatment among patients with chronic kidney disease at high risk for progression.