A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Progression in Participants With CKD and Hyperkalaemia or at Risk of Hyperkalaemia

Phase 3

Terminated

Conditions: Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Hyperkalemia

Interventions: Drug: Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Lisinopril
Drug: Valsartan
Drug: Irbesartan

Registration Number: NCT05056727

Lead Sponsor: AstraZeneca

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC), as adjunct to ACEi/ARB therapy (lisinopril or valsartan), on slowing CKD progression (assessed as the reduction in participant's glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] decline over time) in participants with hyperkalaemia or at high risk of hyperkalaemia.

Detailed Description: This is a Phase 3, international, randomised withdrawal, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, to evaluate the effect of SZC as adjunct to RAASi therapy (lisinopril or valsartan) in slowing CKD progression in participants with CKD and hyperkalaemia or at risk of hyperkalaemia.

Specifically, the study will include participants with hyperkalaemia (S-K \> 5.0 to ≤ 6.5 mmol/L by central laboratory) who are on adequate or limited RAASi therapy due to hyperkalaemia, and participants with normokalaemia (S-K ≥ 3.5 to ≤ 5.0 mmol/L by central laboratory) who are on limited RAASi therapy due to high risk of hyperkalaemia. High risk of hyperkalaemia is defined as (1) participants with a previous medical history or record of hyperkalaemia within the prior 24 months who are on limited RAASi therapy despite indication in CKD; (2) participants in whom RAASi therapy is indicated in CKD but are on limited RAASi therapy and have S-K ≥ 4.7 to ≤ 5.0 mmol/L; and (3) participants in whom RAASi therapy has been discontinued or reduced to suboptimal doses because of hyperkalaemia.

A participant is expected to be in the study for approximately 28 months, which includes up to 13 days for the screening period, 27 months for the intervention period, and 1 week for follow-up. The 27-month intervention period of the study consists of 3 phases, an initiation phase (up to 72 hours), a run-in phase (3 months/up to Day 90), and a maintenance phase (24 months/104 weeks).

The initial dose of SZC will be administered to participants during the initiation phase. No changes will be made to the ACEi or ARB therapy at this stage. As soon as possible after the participant is confirmed to be normokalaemic at the end of the initiation phase, the participant will enter the run-in phase. Participants will receive open-label SZC and either lisinopril or valsartan. The aim of the run-in phase is to increase ACEi or ARB therapy stepwise to their maximum doses. After a 3-month run-in period for RAASi dose optimization while on SZC, participants will be randomized to SZC or placebo and followed during the subsequent 24 months of maintenance phase for efficacy and safety assessments.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: TERMINATED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 716

Inclusion Criteria

Capable of giving signed informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICF and protocol
Must be ≥ 18 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent.
Must have eGFR ≥ 25 and ≤ 59 mL/min/1.73m2 as calculated by central laboratory (CKD-EPI formula) at screening (Visit 1)
Must have UACR ≥ 200 and ≤ 5000 mg/g as calculated by central laboratory at screening (Visit 1). If the first sample does not fulfil eligibility criteria, a second sample can be obtained during the screening period; if so, the UACR measurement from the second sample must be within the eligibility range.
Any of the following criteria, a or b, at screening (Visit 1):
1. Cohort A: Hyperkalaemia (S-K > 5.0 to ≤ 6.5 mmol/L) as measured by the central laboratory, and on adequate* or limited** RAASi therapy due to hyperkalaemia.
2. Cohort B: Normokalaemia (S-K ≥ 3.5 to ≤ 5.0 mmol/L) as measured by the central laboratory and on limited** RAASi therapy due to high risk of hyperkalaemia. High risk of hyperkalaemia is defined as:
(i) Participants with a previous medical history or record of hyperkalaemia within the prior 24 months, who are on limited** RAASi therapy despite indication in CKD.

(ii) Participants in whom RAASi therapy is indicated in CKD, who are on limited** RAASi therapy and have S-K ≥ 4.7 to ≤ 5.0 mmol/L.

(iii) Participants in whom RAASi therapy has been discontinued or reduced to suboptimal* doses because of hyperkalaemia.

*Adequate RAASi dose levels are defined in protocol; doses lower than these are considered as suboptimal.

**Limited RAASi therapy is defined as no or suboptimal RAASi therapy according to dosing guidance provided in protocol.

If on thiazide or loop diuretics, the dose must have been stable for 2 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1).
If on RAASi therapy, the dose must have been stable for one month prior to screening (Visit 1) and remain stable during screening.
If on an SGLT2i treatment (ie, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin), finerenone, or any other medications in these 2 classes that are approved for CKD, the dose must have been stable for 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Participants must be one-year postmenopausal, surgically sterile, or using one highly effective form of birth control (defined as one that can achieve a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly). They should have been stable on their chosen method of birth control for a minimum of one month prior to screening (Visit 1) and willing to remain on the birth control until one month after the last dose of study intervention.

Exclusion Criteria

New York Heart Association class III to IV congestive heart failure at the time of screening (Visit 1) or previous history of severe or symptomatic heart failure.
Myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack within 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Participants with a known history of systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95 mmHg within 2 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1) are excluded. In addition, any participant with systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95 mmHg as measured at screening (Visit 1) and confirmed by repeated measurement is excluded. Participants may be rescreened once blood pressure is controlled.
QTcF > 550 msec at screening (Visit 1).
History of QT prolongation associated with other medications that required discontinuation of that medication.
Congenital long QT syndrome.
Symptomatic or uncontrolled atrial fibrillation despite treatment, or asymptomatic sustained ventricular tachycardia. Participants with atrial fibrillation and heart rate controlled by medication are permitted.
Lupus nephritis or anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.
Change in renal function requiring hospitalisation or dialysis within 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
History of renal transplant (or anticipated need for renal transplant during the study).
Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis.
History of hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.
Any prior hypersensitivity to ACEi or ARB that in the investigator's judgment precludes use of lisinopril and valsartan/irbesartan. Prior hypersensitivity reactions to consider include, but are not limited to, development of angioedema, icterus, hepatitis, or neutropaenia or thrombocytopaenia requiring treatment modification.
Known hypersensitivity or previous anaphylaxis to SZC or to components thereof.
Any condition outside the CV and renal disease area such as, but not limited to, malignancy, with a life expectancy of less than 2 years based on investigator´s clinical judgment.
Active malignancy requiring treatment at the time of screening (Visit 1), except for successfully treated basal cell or treated squamous cell carcinoma.
S-K > 6.5 or < 3.5 mmol/L by local laboratory within 1 day prior to the scheduled first dose of SZC in the initiation phase.
Evidence of COVID-19 infection within 2 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1).
Treated with dual blockade of RAAS (combined use of an ACEi and ARB) within 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Treated with an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI; sacubitril/valsartan [Entresto®]) within 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Treated with an MRA not approved for CKD within 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Treated with aliskiren-containing products with 3 months prior to screening (Visit 1).
Treated with SPS (eg, Kayexalate, Resonium), CPS (Resonium Calcium), patiromer (Veltassa®), or SZC (Lokelma®) within 7 days prior to screening (Visit 1).
Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product administered within one month prior to screening (Visit 1).
Not willing or not able to change to lisinopril or valsartan/irbesartan, the protocol-mandated RAASi study intervention. Note: For participants taking a fixed combination of an ACEi or ARB with another agent (eg, calcium blockers or diuretics) as SoC, the investigator must make a judgment that it will be safe and efficacious for such participants to change to the study ACEi or ARB and to the other drug as separate agents.
Previous dosing with SZC in the present study.
Currently pregnant (confirmed with positive pregnancy test at screening [Visit 1]) or breastfeeding.
Judgment by the investigator that the participant is unlikely to comply with study procedures, restrictions, and requirements.
Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (applies to both AstraZeneca staff and/or staff at the study site).

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)	Valsartan	SZC 5 g every other day to 15 g once daily + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)	Irbesartan	SZC 5 g every other day to 15 g once daily + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)	Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)	SZC 5 g every other day to 15 g once daily + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Placebo	Placebo	Placebo + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC)	Lisinopril	SZC 5 g every other day to 15 g once daily + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Placebo	Valsartan	Placebo + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Placebo	Lisinopril	Placebo + Lisinopril/Valsartan
Placebo	Irbesartan	Placebo + Lisinopril/Valsartan

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Co-primary: Total eGFR slope and Chronic eGFR slope	Co-primary: Total slope: from randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104; Chronic slope: from Week 12 visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104	Both of the primary endpoints must be met in order for the study to be declared successful, i.e., co-primary endpoints

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Serum bicarbonate measurements	From randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104
Time from randomisation to the first occurrence of any component in the composite of: Sustained ≥ 40% decline in eGFR; Onset of ESKD (kidney transplantation, maintenance dialysis, or sustained low eGFR); Death from kidney failure	From randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104
Time from randomisation to first lisinopril/valsartan dose decrease	From randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104
UACR measurements	From randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104
S-K level classification	From randomisation visit to the end of the maintenance phase at Week 104	Normal (3.5-5.0 mmol/L) or non-normal (\< 3.5 or \> 5.0 mmol/L)