Invokana trial stopped early after success in slowing kidney disease progression

The diabetes drug Invokana has been found to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a relatively common complication of type 2 diabetes.
Invokana (canagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor that is prescribed alongside diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
The drug has previously been linked with improved kidney outcomes, including within the recent CANVAS trials when Invokana slowed kidney function loss in type 2 diabetes.
The new CREDENCE study showed evidence that Invokana could help to prevent CKD occurring. The findings were positive enough for the study to be stopped early. CREDENCE stands for Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation.
“We have accepted the advice of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee to stop the CREDENCE trial early due to demonstration of efficacy, and look forward to sharing the findings as soon as possible,” said Professor Vlado Perkovic, the CREDENCE steering committee co-chair and professor of medicine at the University of New South Wales, Sydney.
The trial had enrolled around 4,400 people with type 2 diabetes and CKD who were randomised to receive canagliflozin or placebo.
Results suggested the drug was successful in meeting pre-specified criteria for end-stage kidney disease and renal or cardiovascular (CV) death, when used in addition to standard care.
People with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of CKD, and researchers are keen for these findings to open up a new treatment option.
“This huge unmet need is why it was so important for us to initiate the landmark CREDENCE renal outcomes trial over four years ago,” added Prof Perkovic.
Although it has been shown to slow CKD progressio, Invokana is associated with side effects which should be accounted for, including a greater risk of lower-limb amputation, dehydration, yeast infections and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).