Empagliflozin for Polycystic Kidney Disease

This trial tests a drug called empagliflozin (Jardiance) to determine its safety and tolerability for individuals with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). Researchers aim to compare the effects of empagliflozin with a placebo (a pill with no active drug) over 12 months. The trial seeks participants with ADPKD who have maintained a certain level of kidney function and stable kidney health over the past three months. Eligible participants should not have diabetes or certain heart conditions and should not be using specific medications like loop diuretics. For those with ADPKD who meet these criteria, this trial might be a suitable option. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures how well empagliflozin works in an initial, smaller group, offering a chance to contribute to important findings.

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, such as loop diuretics and tolvaptan or other V2 receptor antagonists, before participating.

Research shows that empagliflozin is generally safe for people with certain kidney and heart conditions. Studies have found that it can reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and may help prevent heart issues. In patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), empagliflozin did not cause any unexpected safety problems, meaning people did not experience surprising adverse reactions to the treatment.

Empagliflozin is unique because it targets polycystic kidney disease (PKD) by inhibiting a protein called SGLT2, which plays a role in glucose reabsorption in the kidneys. Unlike the standard treatments for PKD, which often focus on managing symptoms like hypertension and pain, empagliflozin directly affects kidney function by promoting glucose excretion in urine. This mechanism not only helps in potentially slowing cyst growth and preserving kidney function but also offers the added benefit of improving blood sugar control, which is not addressed by current PKD treatments. Researchers are excited about empagliflozin because it represents a novel approach that could offer more comprehensive benefits to PKD patients.

Research has shown that empagliflozin, which participants in this trial may receive, may help with kidney problems. Studies have found that it can slow kidney disease and reduce the risk of death related to it. For individuals with long-term kidney disease, empagliflozin performed better than a placebo, improving their quality of life and lowering healthcare costs. Although more research is needed for polycystic kidney disease, these findings suggest potential benefits. Participants in this trial will receive either empagliflozin or a placebo to evaluate its effectiveness specifically for polycystic kidney disease.¹²⁴⁶⁷