Progress in the treatment of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes by finerenone in combination with RAS inhibitors/SGLT-2i

BACKGROUND: Currently, the prevalence of diabetes is rising. Patients with diabetes often face high risks of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and retinal disease. Cardiovascular complications are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finerenone is a novel non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Research has shown that finerenone provides renal, cardiac, and retinal protection in patients with type 2 diabetes. Currently, various drugs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) are effective in treating diabetic vascular complications, but each has its limitations. Combining finerenone with RAS Inhibitors/SGLT-2i may yield better clinical outcomes. METHODS: This review aggregates research on the mechanisms and clinical efficacy of finerenone, RAS Inhibitors, and SGLT-2i used individually, as well as in combination, for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes from various databases. RESULTS: This review shows that combining finerenone with RAS inhibitors/ SGLT-2 inhibitors can further reduce proteinuria, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and the risk of hyperkalemia, slow CKD progression, reduce atherosclerosis, myocardial fibrosis, and hypertrophy, and lower the incidence of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. It can also reduce retinal neovascularization, macular edema, and inflammation. Overall, combining can further lower the risk of complications in type 2 diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, combining finerenone with RAS inhibitors and SGLT-2i is a promising treatment strategy. However, the molecular mechanisms and interactions are not fully understood, necessitating more basic research and clinical trials to provide evidence. Combining finerenone with existing treatments may yield better clinical outcomes.