Effects of Dapagliflozin on Cardiovascular Events, Death, and Safety Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin prevents ejection fraction reduction, reduces myocardial and renal NF-κB expression and systemic pro-inflammatory biomarkers in models of short-term doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

Background

Anthracycline-mediated adverse cardiovascular events are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) exert multiple cardiometabolic benefits in patients with/without type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. We hypothesized that the SGLT2i dapagliflozin administered before and during doxorubicin (DOXO) therapy could prevent cardiac dysfunction and reduce pro-inflammatory pathways in preclinical models.

Methods

Cardiomyocytes were exposed to DOXO alone or combined with dapagliflozin (DAPA) at 10 and 100 nM for 24 h; cell viability, iATP, and Ca++ were quantified; lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy 2-hexenal), NLRP3, MyD88, and cytokines were also analyzed through selective colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Female C57Bl/6 mice were treated for 10 days with a saline solution or DOXO (2.17 mg/kg), DAPA (10 mg/kg), or DOXO combined with DAPA. Systemic levels of ferroptosis-related biomarkers, galectin-3, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and pro-inflammatory chemokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL17-α, IL-18, IFN-γ, TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF) were quantified. After treatments, immunohistochemical staining of myocardial and renal p65/NF-kB was performed.

Results

DAPA exerts cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in human cardiomyocytes exposed to DOXO by reducing iATP and iCa++ levels, lipid peroxidation, NLRP-3, and MyD88 expression. Pro-inflammatory intracellular cytokines were also reduced. In preclinical models, DAPA prevented the reduction of radial and longitudinal strain and ejection fraction after 10 days of treatment with DOXO. A reduced myocardial expression of NLRP-3 and MyD-88 was seen in the DOXO-DAPA group compared to DOXO mice. Systemic levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were significantly reduced after treatment with DAPA. Serum levels of galectine-3 and hs-CRP were strongly enhanced in the DOXO group; on the other hand, their expression was reduced in the DAPA-DOXO group. Troponin-T, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-Terminal Pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) were strongly reduced in the DOXO-DAPA group, revealing cardioprotective properties of SGLT2i. Mice treated with DOXO and DAPA exhibited reduced myocardial and renal NF-kB expression.

Conclusion

The overall picture of the study encourages the use of DAPA in the primary prevention of cardiomyopathies induced by anthracyclines in patients with cancer.

Comparative efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A real-world experience

BACKGROUND

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a class of drugs with modest antidiabetic efficacy, weight loss effect, and cardiovascular benefits as proven by multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, real-world data on the comparative efficacy and safety of individual SGLT-2i medications is sparse.

AIM

To study the comparative efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i using real-world clinical data.

METHODS

We evaluated the comparative efficacy data of 3 SGLT-2i drugs (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, and empagliflozin) used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, blood pressure (BP), urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and adverse effects were recorded retrospectively.

RESULTS

Data from 467 patients with a median age of 64 (14.8) years, 294 (62.96%) males and 375 (80.5%) Caucasians were analysed. Median diabetes duration was 16.0 (9.0) years, and the duration of SGLT-2i use was 3.6 (2.1) years. SGLT-2i molecules used were dapagliflozin 10 mg (n = 227; 48.6%), canagliflozin 300 mg (n = 160; 34.3%), and empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 80; 17.1). Baseline median (interquartile range) HbA1c in mmol/mol were: dapagliflozin - 78.0 (25.3), canagliflozin - 80.0 (25.5), and empagliflozin - 75.0 (23.5) respectively. The respective median HbA1c reduction at 12 months and the latest review (just prior to the study) were: 66.5 (22.8) & 69.0 (24.0), 67.0 (16.3) & 66.0 (28.0), and 67.0 (22.5) & 66.5 (25.8) respectively (P < 0.001 for all comparisons from baseline). Significant improvements in body weight (in kilograms) from baseline to study end were noticed with dapagliflozin - 101 (29.5) to 92.2 (25.6), and canagliflozin 100 (28.3) to 95.3 (27.5) only. Significant reductions in median systolic and diastolic BP, from 144 (21) mmHg to 139 (23) mmHg; (P = 0.015), and from 82 (16) mmHg to 78 (19) mmHg; (P < 0.001) respectively were also observed. A significant reduction of microalbuminuria was observed with canagliflozin only [ACR 14.6 (42.6) at baseline to 8.9 (23.7) at the study end; P = 0.043]. Adverse effects of SGLT-2i were as follows: genital thrush and urinary infection - 20 (8.8%) & 17 (7.5%) with dapagliflozin; 9 (5.6%) & 5 (3.13%) with canagliflozin; and 4 (5%) & 4 (5%) with empagliflozin. Diabetic ketoacidosis was observed in 4 (1.8%) with dapagliflozin and 1 (0.63%) with canagliflozin.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of patients with SGLT-2i is associated with statistically significant reductions in HbA1c, body weight, and better than those reported in RCTs, with low side effect profiles. A review of large-scale real-world data is needed to inform better clinical practice decision making.

Adverse events and drug-drug interactions of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in patients treated for heart failure

INTRODUCTION

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2-inhibitors (SGLT2-I), antihyperglycemic agents, are increasingly prescribed in chronic heart failure (CHF). Their risk for drug-drug interactions (DDI) seems low. Safety-data derive mainly from diabetes-patients. This review aims to summarize adverse-events (AE) and DDI of the SGLT2-I dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and sotagliflozin in patients with CHF.

AREAS COVERED

Literature-search-terms in PubMed were 'adverse event/drug-drug interaction' and 'heart failure AND 'dapagliflozin' OR 'empagliflozin' OR 'sotagliflozin.'AEreported in randomized controlled trials (RCT) comprisegenitaland urinary-tract infections, hypotension, ketoacidosis, renal impairment, hypoglycemia, limb-amputations, Fournier's gangrene, bone-fractures, hepatopathy, pancreatitis, diarrhea, malignancy and venous thromboembolism. Their incidence is largely unknown, since they were not consistently evaluated in RCT of CHF. Further AE from meta-analyses, pharmacovigilance reports, case-series and case-reports include erythrocytosis, hypertriglyceridemia, myopathy, sarcopenia, skin problems, ventricular tachycardia, and urinary retention. The maximal observation period of RCT in CHF was 26 months.DDI were mainly studied in healthy volunteers for 3-8 days. In CHF or diabetes-patients, DDI were reported with interleukin-17-inhibitors, linezolid, lithium, tacrolimus, valproate, angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitors and intravenous iron.

EXPERT OPINION

Guidelines recommend treatment with SGLT2-I for CHF but no data on AE during long-term therapy and only little information on DDI are available, which stresses the need for further research. Evidence-based recommendations for ketoacidosis-prevention are desirable.

Significance of Endothelial Dysfunction Amelioration for Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor-Induced Improvements in Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease in Diabetic Patients

Beyond lowering plasma glucose levels, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) significantly reduce hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and retard the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Endothelial dysfunction is not only involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but is also associated with the progression of CKD. In patients with type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia induce the development of endothelial dysfunction. SGLT2is have been shown to improve endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation, in individuals at high risk of CVD. Along with an improvement in endothelial dysfunction, SGLT2is have been shown to improve oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, glucotoxicity, such as the advanced signaling of glycation end products, and nitric oxide bioavailability. The improvements in endothelial dysfunction and such endothelium-derived factors may play an important role in preventing the development of coronary artery disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction and diabetic cardiomyopathy, which cause HF, and play a role in retarding CKD. The suppression of the development of HF and the progression of CKD achieved by SGLT2is might have been largely induced by their capacity to improve vascular endothelial function.

Efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure: An overview of systematic reviews

AIMS

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been shown to have benefit in patients with heart failure (HF). Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs and MAs) of randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing SGLT2i to placebo have been performed. However, there is uncertainty in the quality of the evidence and associated efficacy. We performed an overview of SRs and MAs of RCTs to summarize the evidence related to the efficacy of SGLT2i for the management of HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A comprehensive search of three databases (the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed) was conducted until February 21, 2021. All SRs of RCTs evaluating the efficacy of SGLT2i in patients with HF were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Methodological quality was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 assessment tool. The overall quality of evidence was summarized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. The initial search yielded 3431 references, of which, eight SRs and MAs met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality ranged from critically low to high. The overall quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Most of the SRs and MAs showed benefits in all-cause mortality, HF-related hospitalizations, and KCCQ score change.

CONCLUSIONS

SGLT2i are possibly beneficial in patients with HF, however, none of the SRs and MAs compared the efficacy between different types of SGLT2i. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the need for consistent reproducible conduct and reporting of SRs to generate high-quality evidence and facilitate clinical decision-making.

The risk of all-cause death with dapagliflozin versus placebo: a systematic review and meta-analysis of phase III randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Dapagliflozin has proven cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects. However, the risk of all-cause death with dapagliflozin remains unclear.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the risk of all-cause death and safety events with dapagliflozin compared to placebo. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to 20 September 2022.

RESULTS

Five trials were included in the final analysis. Compared with the placebo, dapagliflozin demonstrated an 11.2% reduction in the risk of all-cause death (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.94). No statistically significant difference in urinary tract infection (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.17), bone fracture (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.20), and amputation (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.23) was observed between patients treated with dapagliflozin and placebo. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin was associated with a significant reduction in acute kidney injury (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.83), and increased the risk of genital infection (OR: 8.21, 95% CI: 4.19 to 16.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin was associated with significantly reduced all-cause death and increased genital infection. Dapagliflozin was safe concerning urinary tract infection, bone fracture, amputation, and acute kidney injury, compared with the placebo.

Insights into efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin treatment for the management in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin as a monotherapy glucose-lowering drug treatment for older adults with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS

Randomized controlled trial reports were retrieved from PubMed, Embase Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from database inception to 8 May 2021. Publication bias and heterogeneity were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Cochrane Q statistic, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin as a monotherapy glucose-lowering drug did improve the control of glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels in older adults. Our analysis also confirmed that the body weight of older adults was well controlled under treatment of dapagliflozin as a monotherapy glucose-lowering drug. Patients in older adults with diabetes took a higher risk of genital infection and renal impairment or failure after treatment of dapagliflozin. In addition, treatment with dapagliflozin reduced the risk of hypoglycemia, and did not reveal increased risk of urinary tract infection and developing fractures compared to placebo in older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin as a monotherapy glucose-lowering drug appeared to be an effective treatment for older adults with diabetes, although it might increase risk of genital infection and renal impairment or failure.

Comparative Efficacy of Dapagliflozin and Empagliflozin of a Fixed Dose in Heart Failure: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background

The efficacy of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in sodium-glucose cotransport-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) in patients with heart failure (HF) has been discovered. However, which drug could improve varied prognostic outcomes has not been elucidated. Hence, we compared their efficacies on the prognostic improvement of HF.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholars, and the Cochrane Library were searched for all related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to 13 October 2021. Network meta-analyses were performed to generate matrices to show the effect size for pairwise comparison regarding all the interventions.

Results

Eventually a total of 11 RCTs were included in this study. For the primary endpoints, dapagliflozin was comparable with empagliflozin in hospitalization for HF, and empagliflozin (OR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.59–0.84) decreased the risk of exacerbation of HF over dapagliflozin. For the secondary endpoints, dapagliflozin was comparable with empagliflozin in cardiovascular (CV) death /hospitalization for HF, and for CV death, dapagliflozin (OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.65–0.92) significantly reduced mortality over the placebo. For the tertiary endpoints, dapagliflozin (OR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.66–0.98) significantly decreased the mortality over empagliflozin in all-cause death, and neither drug significantly increased the risk of hypoglycemia.

Recommendations

Overall, 10 mg/day dapagliflozin may be the optimal recommendation for its premium and comprehensive effect on improving the prognosis of patients with HF compared to 10 mg/day empagliflozin.

Dapagliflozin: A Review in Symptomatic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Dapagliflozin [Farxiga^® (USA); Forxiga^® (EU)], a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, was recently approved in the USA and the EU for the treatment of adults with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The cardiovascular (CV) benefits of dapagliflozin were first observed in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, in which dapagliflozin 10 mg/day significantly reduced the risk of CV death or hospitalization for HF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had or were at risk for atherosclerotic CV disease. In the subsequent DAPA-HF trial, dapagliflozin 10 mg/day in addition to standard of care was associated with a significantly lower risk of worsening HF or CV death than placebo in patients with HFrEF, regardless of the presence or absence of T2DM. The benefits of dapagliflozin also remained consistent regardless of background HF therapies. Dapagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with an overall safety profile consistent with its known safety profile in other indications. In conclusion, dapagliflozin is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment that represents a valuable new addition to the options available for symptomatic HFrEF.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death and disability. HFrEF occurs when the left ventricular ejection fraction is ≤ 40%. Conventional treatments for HFrEF include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate, and ivabradine. Dapagliflozin [Farxiga^® (USA); Forxiga^® (EU)] is an SGLT2 inhibitor originally developed for the treatment of T2DM. It was the first SGLT2 inhibitor to be approved for the treatment of adults with symptomatic HFrEF. When added to standard therapy, dapagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of worsening HF or CV death in patients with HFrEF, regardless of whether or not they had T2DM. Moreover, the beneficial effects of dapagliflozin were seen regardless of patients’ usual HF medications. Dapagliflozin was generally well tolerated and is a valuable option for the treatment of symptomatic HFrEF.

The Role of Dapagliflozin in the Management of Heart Failure: An Update on the Emerging Evidence

The burden and cost of heart failure management, primarily in the form of hospitalization in the setting of decompensated heart failure, continue to be some of the biggest clinical challenges in cardiovascular medicine. In recently published randomized controlled trials, including DAPA-HF, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin was shown to reduce hospitalization from heart failure or mortality associated with cardiovascular causes, when added to existing guideline-directed medical therapy. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) released a Clinical Pathway guideline that recommends the use of dapagliflozin in clinical management of heart failure, with or without diabetes. Furthermore, the results of the DAPA-CKD trial broaden the utility of dapagliflozin as a therapeutic option in patients with advanced kidney disease. In this article, the authors explore the existing evidence on dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and highlight the need for further research on uses of dapagliflozin in the world of heart failure.