Balcinrenone in combination with dapagliflozin compared with dapagliflozin alone in patients with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria: a randomised, active-controlled double-blind, phase 2b clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce albuminuria and risk of progression of chronic kidney disease. Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) have similar effects in patients with type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of the novel MRA balcinrenone combined with the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in a randomised controlled trial.

Methods: MIRO-CKD was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active controlled, dose-finding phase 2b trial conducted in 106 clinical practice sites in 15 countries in America, Asia, and Europe. Adults with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25-<60 mL/min per 1·73 m², a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) of >100-≤5000 mg/g, and a serum potassium concentration 3·5-5·0 mmol/L were randomly assigned (1:1:1) via an interactive response technology system to treatment with combined balcinrenone 15 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg, balcinrenone 40 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg, or dapagliflozin 10 mg plus placebo (double-dummy technique) once daily as adjunct to renin angiotensin system inhibitors, if tolerated, for 12 weeks, followed by an 8-week wash-out period. The primary efficacy endpoint was relative change in UACR from baseline to week 12, analysed in all participants who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of study drug. Missing values were not imputed, assuming that any missing UACR values were missing at random. Other endpoints included safety and tolerability. The MIRO-CKD trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06350123, and is completed.

Findings: Between May 1 and Dec 18, 2024, 613 participants were assessed for eligibility, 289 were excluded due to not meeting eligibility criteria or withdrawing, and 324 were randomly assigned to receive balcinrenone 15 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg (n=108), balcinrenone 40 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg (n=110), or dapagliflozin plus placebo (n=106). Participants had a mean age of 64·6 years (SD 12·4), a mean eGFR of 42·2 mL/min per 1·73 m² (SD 10·5), median UACR of 365 mg/g (IQR 157 to 825), and 56% were taking SGLT2 inhibitors. 110 (34%) participants were female and 214 (66%) were male. A globally diverse population was included with 103 (32%) Asian, 23 (7%) Black or African American, and 183 (56%) White participants. Balcinrenone 15 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg and balcinrenone 40 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg were superior in reducing UACR versus dapagliflozin 10 mg plus placebo throughout the treatment period. At week 12, the UACR difference versus dapagliflozin 10 mg plus placebo was -22·8% (90% CI -33·3 to -10·7; p=0·0038) for balcinrenone 15 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg and -32·8% (-42·0 to -22·1; p<0·0001) for balcinrenone 40 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg. Investigator-reported adverse events of hyperkalaemia were reported in 6% (seven of 108) of the balcinrenone 15 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg group, 7% (eight of 110) of the balcinrenone 40 mg plus dapagliflozin 10 mg group, and 5% (five of 106) of the dapagliflozin 10 mg plus placebo group. Adverse events of hypotension and renal events were few, balanced across the treatment groups, and none were serious. Two deaths occurred during the study, both more than 28 days after the last dose of study drug.

Interpretation: In participants with chronic kidney disease at increased risk of disease progression, a fixed dose combination of balcinrenone and dapagliflozin was superior to dapagliflozin alone in reducing albuminuria. Balcinrenone plus dapagliflozin was well tolerated, effects on potassium were minor, and no unexpected safety concerns were identified.

Funding: AstraZeneca.