Semaglutide may protect Kidneys in Overweight Patients with Heart Disease, Study finds

In a groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers discovered that semaglutide significantly reduces risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

The results were presented at the 61st ERA Congress.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts more than 800 million people around the world, especially those with type 2 diabetes. CKD can lead to serious issues like kidney failure, heart problems, and even death.

Although current treatments help protect the kidneys and lower heart risks, many people still suffer from worsening kidney function and other health problems. This situation has increased interest in finding new treatments, including drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

In the study, 3,533 patients were analyzed from the FLOW study, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled international trial with a median follow-up period of 3.4 years. The trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of semaglutide, a once-weekly subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, in preventing major kidney outcomes, such as kidney failure, significant loss of kidney function, and death from kidney or cardiovascular causes, in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Participants received either semaglutide 1.0 mg once weekly or a placebo.

The results showed that participants who received semaglutide had a 24% risk reduction for the composite primary endpoint, which included kidney outcomes and death due to cardiovascular and kidney causes, compared to those who received a placebo. This risk reduction was consistent across both kidney-specific outcomes and cardiovascular death outcomes.

Secondary endpoints also demonstrated significant improvements with semaglutide. Specifically, the risk of major cardiovascular events decreased by 18%, and the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced by 20%.

“The use of semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease can lower the risk of major kidney outcomes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death and all-cause death. These benefits signify a profound clinical impact saving kidneys, hearts and lives, for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Additionally, the reassuring safety findings further support the strong potential value of semaglutide in this population. These findings offer great promise in reshaping treatment strategies for individuals at high risk of diabetes-related complications, offering a new avenue for kidney and cardiovascular protection,” said Professor Vlado Perkovic.

Reference: Vlado Perkovic, et al.; Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes; New England Journal of Medicine; doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2403347; https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403347