Feasibility of Study of Empagliflozin in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by development and continued growth of numerous fluid-filled kidney cysts that result in ultimate loss of kidney function in the majority of individuals. ADPKD manifestations are not limited to the kidney. It is well established that arterial stiffness, an important predictor of future cardiovascular events and mortality, is present early in the course of ADPKD. Sodium-glucose cotransporters-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have a track record of tolerability and safety in patients with diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease. Studies of SGLT2i have been extremely encouraging and the expectation is that these treatments will become standard of care for diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease; however, the mechanism of action is not fully understood and seems non-specific with regards to disease etiology. The potential benefit of SGLT2i has not been examined in ADPKD, as major trials of SGLT2i in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) have excluded patients with ADPKD. It is also important to note the potential benefits of SGLT2i outside of delaying loss of kidney function, as these class of drugs have been shown to provide a mortality benefit for patients across the CKD spectrum. Thus, novel interventions to slow kidney disease progression and reduce vascular morbidity within ADPKD population are of clinical importance.

Limited data suggests SGLT2i may stimulate vasopressin and vasopressin receptor expression by causing glucosuria, natriuresis, and glucose osmotic diuresis, at least in patients and animal models without ADPKD. Vasopressin is known to stimulate cyst growth in ADPKD and promote disease progression. SGLT2i have been studied in animal models of ADPKD, with conflicting data. Some studies in rodent ADPKD models treated with SGLT2i failed to show a significant reduction in cyst growth. However, because of SGLT2i's beneficial effects on kidney function, vascular function, and mortality in non-ADPKD patients with CKD, further investigations of SGLT2i in patients with ADPKD are needed.

Primary Outcome Measure (Aim1): Safety will be assessed by laboratory testing and recording of adverse events. Tolerability will be assessed by subject drop-out rate due to adverse events and the proportion tolerating the maximal dose of study drug. Adherence to the intervention will be assessed by counting the returned number of tablets during check-in visits. Subjects will have check-in visits every 2 weeks the 1st month, monthly on month 2 and 3 and then every 3 months until the end of the study. Subjects will discuss issues with tolerability or treatment-emergent adverse events with a member of the clinical staff who is blinded to treatment status.

Secondary (Exploratory) Outcome Measures (Aim 2): (a) Height-adjusted total kidney volume will be examined by magnetic resonance imaging, at baseline, 3 months and 12 months after treatment with empagliflozin or placebo; (b) Aortic stiffness will be evaluated as aortic pulse wave velocity, at baseline, 3 months and 12 months after treatment with empagliflozin or placebo; (c) Plasma copeptin levels and urinary kidney injury molecule-1 will be measured at baseline, 3 months and 12 months after treatment with empagliflozin or placebo; and (d) Patient related outcomes will be measured using the ADPKD Impact Scale (ADPKD-IS) at baseline, 3 months and 12 months after treatment with empagliflozin or placebo.