The year 2024 has seen significant developments in the treatment of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, with a focus on novel therapeutic approaches and established medications showing new benefits. From FDA approvals to promising clinical trial results, here’s a recap of some of the most impactful cardiology stories.
FDA Approves Vadadustat for Anemia in CKD Patients
Akebia Therapeutics' vadadustat (Vafseo) received FDA approval for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult patients on dialysis for at least 3 months. The approval was based on the INNO2VATE trial, which evaluated vadadustat for both correction and maintenance of anemia in patients with incident dialysis-dependent CKD. Akebia aims to establish vadadustat as the new oral standard of care for this patient population.
Combination Therapy Benefits
Combination therapy using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT2 inhibitors is increasingly recognized for its protective effects against cardiovascular and kidney disease. A meta-analysis in July demonstrated that this combination reduced the risk of CKD by 33% and slowed the annual loss of kidney function by nearly 60%. This finding underscores the potential of these drug classes, initially developed for diabetes, in managing cardio-renal complications.
Dietary Interventions for CVD Risk Reduction
Research indicates that the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Mediterranean diet, in particular, was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers, suggesting a mechanism through which it confers cardiovascular benefits.
Semaglutide's Impact on Kidney and CV Events
The FLOW randomized trial revealed that semaglutide, a GLP-1RA, has "robust" benefits in treating CKD and preventing cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These results, released in May, are promising, and further data from the study are anticipated to reinforce the benefits of semaglutide in this population.
GLP-1s in Breast Cancer Treatment
An abstract presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting highlighted the potential of GLP-1s to improve cardiovascular outcomes and induce weight loss in patients with breast cancer. Researchers are continuing to investigate the benefits of GLP-1s in cancer patients through ongoing studies.
