RESUMEN
Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is caused by autonomous aldosterone overproduction and characterised by uncontrolled hypertension. There are currently no treatments that target aldosterone synthesis. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel aldosterone synthase inhibitor, dexfadrostat phosphate, in patients with PA. Methods: This multi-centre, randomised, phase 2 trial was conducted between November 2019 and May 2022 (NCT04007406; EudraCT code 2019-000919-85). Adults with PA and an office systolic blood pressure of 145-190 mmHg were included. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period, participants were randomised 1:1:1 to receive oral dexfadrostat phosphate 4, 8, or 12 mg once daily for an 8-week double-blind treatment period, followed by a 2-week single-blind placebo withdrawal period. Randomisation was conducted centrally and stratified by centre and sex. At the beginning and end of the treatment period, 24 h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (aSBP) was recorded. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks. Primary endpoints were the change in aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) and mean 24 h aSBP from baseline to the end of the treatment period in the combined dose group of all participants receiving any dose of dexfadrostat phosphate. Safety endpoints were the occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious adverse events over the entire study in all randomised participants who received at least one dose of dexfadrostat phosphate. Findings: In total, 35 participants received dexfadrostat phosphate and all participants completed the study. Twenty-six participants (74.3%) were male, the mean age was 51.9 years (SD 8.7), and most were White (n = 32, 91.4%). The median ARR and the mean 24 h aSBP significantly decreased from the beginning to the end of the treatment period in the combined dose group (ARR: 15.3 vs 0.6, least-squares mean [LSM] change in log-normal values -2.5, p < 0.0001; aSBP: 142.6 vs 131.9 mmHg, LSM change -10.7 mmHg, p < 0.0001). There were no safety concerns; all TEAEs were mild or moderate and there were no serious TEAEs. Interpretation: Dexfadrostat phosphate corrected the ARR and aSBP and was well tolerated in patients with PA, demonstrating the benefit of pharmacologically targeting the source of hyperaldosteronism. Funding: DAMIAN Pharma AG.
RESUMEN
The Nateglinide and Valsartan Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial is exploring two pharmacological strategies (nateglinide and valsartan, both alone and in combination) in the prevention of overt diabetes mellitus (DM) and the reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects at high risk for these events. In this analysis, we provide baseline characteristics of the randomized NAVIGATOR study population and contrast them with those from other trials of DM prevention. Key eligibility criteria include impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), a history of CVD (in patients aged > or =50 years), and > or =1 cardiovascular risk factor (in patients aged > or =55 years). Baseline demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, cardiovascular risk factors, CVD history, and medication use are described and compared with other trials of DM prevention. The full analysis set of subjects (N = 9306) showed a clustering of risk factors consistent with the metabolic syndrome: high rates of hypertension (77.5%), dyslipidemia (44.7%), increased waist circumference (101.0 cm), and high body mass index (BMI) (47.5% with BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)). A minority of patients had a history of CVD (24.3%); of these, 11.7% had a history of myocardial infarction and most of the remainder had evidence of coronary artery disease. Subjects also had elevated blood pressure (BP) (predominantly systolic) (139.7/82.6 mm Hg), increased serum low-density lipoproteins cholesterol levels (3.27 mmol/L), and borderline elevation of triglyceride levels (1.97 mmol/L). Demographic data, BP, and lipid profiles in NAVIGATOR were similar to those of previous DM prevention trials, which were also based largely on meeting criteria for IGT. Medication use at baseline among NAVIGATOR subjects, which frequently included aspirin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and lipid-lowering agents, reflects enhanced CVD risk. However, little prescribing of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers was observed, likely due to protocol exclusion criteria. In conclusion, the NAVIGATOR study comprises prediabetic subjects who typically have concurrent BP and metabolic disturbances and an enhanced risk of CVD, and are thus at higher risk for cardiovascular events than subjects in previous DM prevention trials.