Institutional Experience With New Antidiabetic Drugs in Kidney Transplant

Safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in kidney transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus

AIM

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are important anti-hyperglycemic medications with reno-protective benefits for patients with diabetic kidney disease. Their utilization in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains underexplored due to safety concerns, particularly regarding urinary tract infections. This study investigates the safety profile of SGLT2i therapy in KTRs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of KTRs with diabetes mellitus, comparing those treated with SGLT2i to those on standard diabetes therapy, monitored over three years at a tertiary center. The primary outcome was a renal composite of dialysis, re-transplantation, acute kidney failure, or acute rejection. Secondary outcomes included urinary tract infections, diabetic ulcers, fractures, amputations, diabetic ketoacidosis, all-cause mortality, and glycemic control.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty individuals using SGLT2i (median age 63, 20 % female) were matched with non-users. SGLT2i users had a lower incidence of the composite renal outcome (8.9 vs. 13.3 events per 100 patient-years), but after adjustment for independent predictors, the risk was similar (HR 0.99, 95 % CI 0.65-1.52, P = 0.970). Other outcomes showed comparable or lower risks in SGLT2i users. Glycemic control improved more significantly in SGLT2i users.

CONCLUSION

In KTRs with diabetes, SGLT2i therapy improved glycemic control without increased safety concerns compared to standard treatments. Both groups exhibited similar risks of significant kidney-related events and all-cause mortality. These findings provide crucial insights into the existing limited data concerning this vulnerable population, which faces elevated risks of renal complications and medication-related adverse effects. Ongoing randomized controlled trials will provide additional safety data for SGLT2i in KTRs.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and renal outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) show reno-protective effects in type 2 diabetes. Limited data is available on their use in post-transplant diabetes mellitus. We aimed to explore the effect of GLP1-RAs on renal outcomes in diabetic kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

METHODS

We conducted a cohort retrospective study on adult KTR with diabetes mellitus. KTR treated with GLP1-RAs were matched with non-users. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of graft rejection, start of dialysis, re-transplantation or all-cause mortality. Other outcomes included a composite of the first occurrence of a genitourinary infection or all-cause mortality, and all-cause mortality. Metabolic effects of GLP1-RA treatment and risk for biliopancreatic adverse events were also explored.

RESULTS

We included 272 patients (69 % males, average age 58.3 ± 11.0 years) with a 3.1-year median follow-up. The use of GLP1-RAs lowered the incidence of the composite renal outcome after adjustment for independent risk factors (114 versus 68 events per 1000-patient years in controls versus GLP1-RA users, HR 0.489, 95 % CI 0.271-0.883). GLP-RA users had improved glycemic control, lipid profile and a decrease in body mass index. The treatment was safe without increased genitourinary infections or biliopancreatic events.

CONCLUSION

The use of GLP1-RAs decreased the risk of a composite outcome of renal dysfunction and mortality, improved metabolic control and showed safety of use in a large cohort of diabetic KTR, suggesting reno-protective effects in this high-risk population. Prospective data is further needed in KTR who are excluded from large RCTs.

Association of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists with cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in type 2 diabetic kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of post-transplant mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), especially those with diabetes. Although glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have demonstrated cardiovascular and kidney benefits in the general population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), evidence regarding their effects in diabetic KTRs is limited.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Global Collaborative Network in TriNetX, spanning January 1, 2006, to June 1, 2023. Propensity score matching (PSM) with 1:1 ratio was employed to create balanced cohorts. Adult KTRs with T2DM who received GLP-1 RAs within 3 months post-transplant were compared to a matched cohort of KTRs who did not. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with secondary outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse kidney events (MAKEs).

RESULTS

A total of 35,488 adult KTRs with T2DM (mean [SD] age, 57.7 [12.2] years; 57.7% men) were identified and 9.8% patients used GLP-1 RAs among 3 months post-transplant. Following PSM, 3564 GLP-1 RAs users were matched with an equal number of nonusers. After a median follow-up of 2.5 years, GLP-1 RAs users had lower risks of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 0.39; 95% CI 0.31-0.50), MACEs (aHR 0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.79), and MAKEs (aHR 0.66; 95% CI 0.58-0.75). Adverse effects included higher risks of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, while risks of suicide, hypoglycemia, retinopathy, and pancreatitis were not increased.

CONCLUSIONS

In KTRs with T2DM, GLP-1 RAs use was associated with substantial reductions in all-cause mortality, MAKEs, and MACEs compared to nonuse without increasing complications. However, the underutilization of GLP-1 RAs represents a significant opportunity to improve post-transplant outcomes in this high-risk population.

Use of glucagon-like peptide type 1 receptor agonists in kidney transplant recipients

INTRODUCTION

In kidney transplant (KT) recipients diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with an increased mortality and a poorer graft survival. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) have demonstrated cardiovascular and renal benefits in the general population. However, there is lacking evidence in KT recipients.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor GLP1-RA in a cohort of KT recipients.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective cohort study of KT patients with DM who started subcutaneous GLP1-RA in 3 hospitals in the province of Cádiz between February 2016 and July 2022. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and weight at baseline and after 6 and 12 months were collected. We analyzed glycemic control, blood pressure, lipid profile, and doses and trough levels of tacrolimus. We document episodes of acute rejection (AR), de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA), and adverse effects.

RESULTS

During this period, 96 KT with DM started treatment with GLP1-RA, of which 84 had a minimum follow-up of 6 months and 61 were followed for 12 months. A significant reduction was observed in proteinuria (-19.1 mg/g, p = 0.000; -46.6 mg/g, p = 0.000), weight (-3.6 kg, p = 0.000; -3.6 kg, p = 0.000), glycosylated hemoglobin (-0.7%, p = 0.000; -0.9%, p = 0.000), systolic blood pressure (-7.5 mmHg, p = 0.013; -7.3 mmHg, p = 0.004), total cholesterol (-11.5 mg/dL, p = 0.001; -15.6 mg/dl, p = 0.002) and LDL cholesterol (-9.2 mg/dl, p = 0.002; -16.8 mg/dl, p = 0.000) at 6 months and 1 year of follow-up. The eGFR remained stable and the dose and trough levels of tacrolimus did not change. No episodes of AR or development of dnDSA were observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

GLP1-RA in KT patients can be a safe and effective option for the management of DM in KT.

GLP-1 Agonism for Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions Across the Research Spectrum

Purpose of Review

Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease in individuals that receive a kidney transplant, and those without pre-existing diabetes are at greater risk of developing diabetes following kidney transplant. A class of diabetes treatment medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) has seen recent widespread use for people with diabetes or obesity, with efficacy for improved glycemic control, weight loss, and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Given these benefits, and indications for use that often co-occur in kidney transplant recipients, use of GLP-1RAs warrants consideration in this population. Therefore, we sought to review the current literature to better understand the mechanisms of action, clinical application, and person-centred considerations of GLP-1RAs in kidney transplant recipients.

Sources of Information

Original articles were identified between December 2023 and July 2024 from electronic databases including the Ovid MEDLINE database, PubMed, and Google Scholar using terms "kidney transplant," "GLP-1," "glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist," and "diabetes."

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to explore the relationship between GLP-1RAs and kidney transplant recipients. We reviewed the current state of evidence across the research disciplines of basic or fundamental science, clinical and health services research, and person-centred equity science, and highlighted important knowledge gaps that offer opportunities for future research.

Key Findings

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the benefit of GLP-1RAs in people with and without diabetic kidney disease, including decreased risk of cardiovascular events. However, there is a paucity of high-quality randomized controlled trials and observational studies analyzing use of GLP-1RAs in kidney transplant recipients. Evidence of benefit in this population is therefore limited to small studies or inferred from research conducted in nontransplant populations. Growing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies may elucidate renoprotective mechanisms of GLP-1RAs and remove barriers to application of these drugs in the transplant recipient population. Individuals who are female, non-white, have lower socioeconomic status, and live in rural communities are at greater risk of diabetes and have lower uptake of GLP-1RAs. There is a need for clinical trials across diverse kidney transplant populations to estimate the efficacy of GLP-1RAs on important health outcomes.

Limitations

The search strategy for this narrative review may not have been sensitive to identify all relevant articles. Our search was limited to English language articles.

Safety and Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients: Synthesis of Evidence

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel antidiabetics, namely, sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), in diabetic kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched from inception until 25 August 2024. Pooled estimates were obtained by applying random-effects models. Results: Overall, 18 studies (17 observational studies and one randomized controlled trial) were included. GLP1-RA were administered to 270 and SGLT2-i to 1003 patients. After GLP1-RA therapy, patients presented significantly lower glycated hemoglobin [mean difference (MD): -0.61%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.99; -0.23] and body weight (MD: -3.32 kg; 95% CI: -5.04; -1.59) but a similar estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and systolic blood pressure. After SGLT2-i therapy, patients had significantly lower glycated hemoglobin (MD: -0.40%, 95% CI: -0.57; -0.23) and body weight (MD: -2.21 kg, 95% CI: -2.74; -1.67), while no difference was noted in eGFR or systolic blood pressure. Preliminary data have shown an association between SGLT2-i use and a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, graft loss, and mortality. Evidence regarding the association between GLP1-RA and SGLT2-i and proteinuria was mixed. No significant effects on calcineurin inhibitor levels were observed. The risk of urinary tract infections was similar among patients treated with SGLT2-i or placebo (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.43; 1.64). Conclusions: Observational data suggest that GLP1-RA and SGLT2-i administration in diabetic kidney transplant recipients may be associated with better glycemic control and reduced body weight, presenting an acceptable safety profile.

Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients With Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) reduce cardiovascular events and mortality in type 2 diabetes. Limited data are available on diabetes treatment after solid organ transplantation. We aimed to explore the effect of GLP1-RAs on cardiovascular outcomes in transplanted recipients with diabetes.

METHODS

We extracted data on adult transplant recipients (kidney, lungs, liver, heart) insured in a large health maintenance organization. Death-censored patients with diabetes treated with GLP1-RAs were matched with nonusers. The primary outcome was a composite of major cardiovascular events (MACEs): a nonfatal cardiac event (myocardial infarction, stable/unstable angina, coronary bypass, and coronary angiography), ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were MACE or peripheral vascular disease (MACE-PVD), and all-cause mortality. Safety outcomes included biliopancreatic adverse events.

RESULTS

We included 318 patients (69% males, average age 58.3 ± 11.0 y) with a 3.1-y median follow-up. The incidence of MACE was 101 of 1000 patient-years in GLP1-RAs users compared with 134 of 1000 in controls (hazard ratio [HR] 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-0.78). GLP1-RAs similarly reduced the risk of MACE-PVD (HR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33-0.88) and the risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18-0.84). Biliopancreatic adverse events occurred less in GLP1-RA users.

CONCLUSIONS

Transplant recipients with diabetes who used GLP1-RAs had lower risks for MACE and all-cause mortality. These results may profoundly implicate the daily management of posttransplant recipients with diabetes, a population with a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular death. Transplant patients are usually excluded from randomized controlled trials and, hence might be undertreated with disease-modifying drugs. Larger prospective studies are needed in this unique population.

Safety and efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Evidence supporting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GLP-1RAs in this population.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases from inception through May 2023. Clinical trials and observational studies that reported on the safety or efficacy outcomes of GLP-1RAs in adult KTRs were included. Kidney graft function, glycaemic and metabolic parameters, weight, cardiovascular outcomes and adverse events were evaluated. Outcome measures used for analysis included pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous outcomes and standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for continuous outcomes. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42023426190).

Results

Nine cohort studies with a total of 338 KTRs were included. The median follow-up was 12 months (interquartile range 6-23). While treatment with GLP-1RAs did not yield a significant change in estimated glomerular filtration rate [SMD -0.07 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI -0.64-0.50)] or creatinine [SMD -0.08 mg/dl (95% CI -0.44-0.28)], they were associated with a significant decrease in urine protein:creatinine ratio [SMD -0.47 (95% CI -0.77 to -0.18)] and haemoglobin A1c levels [MD -0.85% (95% CI -1.41 to -0.28)]. Total daily insulin dose, weight and body mass index also decreased significantly. Tacrolimus levels remained stable [MD -0.43 ng/ml (95% CI -0.99 to 0.13)]. Side effects were primarily nausea and vomiting (17.6%), diarrhoea (7.6%) and injection site pain (5.4%).

Conclusions

GLP-1RAs are effective in reducing proteinuria, improving glycaemic control and supporting weight loss in KTRs, without altering tacrolimus levels. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the main side effects.

Diabetic Kidney Disease in Post-Kidney Transplant Patients

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common occurrence in post-kidney transplantation and is associated with greater mortality, allograft failure, and increased risk of infections. The primary goal in the management of PTDM is to achieve glycemic control to minimize the risk of complications while balancing the need for immunosuppression to maintain the health of the transplanted kidney. This review summarizes the effects of maintenance immunosuppression and therapeutic options among kidney transplant recipients. Patients with PTDM are at increased risk of diabetic kidney disease development; therefore, in this review, we focus on evidence supporting the use of novel antidiabetic agents and discuss their benefits and potential side effects in detail.

Novel Drugs for the Management of Diabetes Kidney Transplant Patients: A Literature Review

The management of diabetes and renal failure is changing thanks to the appearance of new drugs such as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) that have benefits in terms of survival and cardiorenal protection. Based on the potential mechanisms of GLP1-RA, kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) could benefit from their effects. However, high-quality studies are needed to demonstrate these benefits, in the transplant population, especially those related to cardiovascular benefits and renal protection. Studies with SGLT2i performed in KTRs are much less potent than in the general population and therefore no benefits in terms of patient or graft survival have been clearly demonstrated in this population to date. Additionally, the most frequently observed side effects could be potentially harmful to this population profile, including severe or recurrent urinary tract infections and impaired kidney function. However, benefits demonstrated in KTRs are in line with a known potential effects in cardiovascular and renal protection, which may be essential for the outcome of transplant recipients. Better studies are still needed to confirm the benefits of these new oral antidiabetics in the renal transplant population. Understanding the characteristics of these drugs may be critical for KTRs to be able to benefit from their effects without being damaged. This review discusses the results of the most important published studies on KTRs with GLP1-RA and SGLT2i as well as the potential beneficial effects of these drugs. Based on these results, approximate suggestions for the management of diabetes in KTRs were developed.

Sweet and simple as syrup: A review and guidance for use of novel antihyperglycemic agents for post-transplant diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) increase morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. Conventional strategies for diabetes management in this population include metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides and insulin. Limitations with these agents, as well as promising new antihyperglycemic agents, create a need and opportunity to explore additional options for transplant diabetes pharmacotherapy. Novel agents including sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA), and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4i) demonstrate great promise for T2DM management in the non-transplant population. Moreover, many of these agents possess renoprotective, cardiovascular, and/or weight loss benefits in addition to improved glucose control while having reduced risk of hypoglycemia compared with certain other conventional agents. This comprehensive review examines available literature evaluating the use of novel antihyperglycemic agents in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with T2DM or PTDM. Formal grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) system recommendations are provided to guide incorporation of these agents into post-transplant care. Available literature was evaluated to address the clinical questions of which agents provide greatest short- and long-term benefits, timing of novel antihyperglycemic therapy initiation after transplant, monitoring parameters for these antihyperglycemic agents, and concomitant antihyperglycemic agent and immunosuppression regimen management. Current experience with novel antihyperglycemic agents is primarily limited to single-center retrospective studies and case series. With ongoing use and increasing comfort, further and more robust research promises greater understanding of the role of these agents and place in therapy for kidney transplant recipients.