A new analysis of the DUPLEX trial indicates that sparsentan is similarly effective in treating patients with genetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (gFSGS) as it is in treating those with other forms of FSGS. The findings, presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week 2024, suggest a more pronounced antiproteinuric response with sparsentan compared to irbesartan in gFSGS patients.
DUPLEX Trial and gFSGS Subgroup
The post-hoc analysis, led by Jennifer Lai Yee, MD, PhD, MPH, from the University of Michigan, focused on a subgroup of 31 individuals identified as having gFSGS within the larger DUPLEX trial population. These patients were generally younger and had a greater estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline, with most exhibiting nephrotic-range proteinuria.
Key Findings
Yee noted that complete remission was achieved by only one patient with gFSGS treated with sparsentan, while none were achieved with irbesartan. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that three individuals in the irbesartan group reached end-stage kidney disease, compared to only one patient in the sparsentan group.
Clinical Implications
"For this group of patients with FSGS, there’s this unmet need to develop something that can make a meaningful difference. I think sparsentan is definitely the first step to move towards to that goal. And at least, right now, we have something sort of available," Yee stated.
The study highlights the potential of sparsentan to address a significant unmet need in the treatment of gFSGS, a condition historically considered less responsive to treatment. The findings suggest that sparsentan can offer tangible benefits to patients with gFSGS, potentially improving their quality of life and delaying disease progression.
