826-P: Effect of Finerenone on Occurrence of Vision-Threatening Events in Patients with DR

Finerenone is a potent and selective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist that slowed progression of CKD and reduced risk of CV outcomes vs. placebo in patients with CKD and T2D in the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD phase 3 trials. MR overactivation is involved in DR pathogenesis. To evaluate potential benefits of oral finerenone on progression of DR, two studies of identical observational design (ReFineDR and DeFineDR) retrospectively collected data from patients with DR in FIDELIO-DKD/FIGARO-DKD at selected centers. Eligible patients had a routine ophthalmological examination showing NPDR in ≥1 eye performed 6 months prior to 1 month post-randomization in FIDELIO-DKD/FIGARO-DKD, and ≥1 subsequent ophthalmological assessment. Patients with advanced DR were excluded; inclusion was blinded to FIDELIO-DKD/FIGARO-DKD treatment assignment. Primary endpoint was occurrence of vision-threatening events (ASN, DME or PDR) at 2 years. Overall, 134 patients received finerenone and 1received placebo, of whom 68.7% and 71.8% had mild/moderate NPDR, 3.0% and 10.0% had severe NPDR, 27.6% and 15.5% had NPDR of unknown severity and 70.1% and 64.5% had HbA1c >7.5%, at baseline (mean HbA1c 8.25 [SD 1.41] and 8.18 [SD 1.34]) . At 2 years, 5 (3.7%) and 7 (6.4%) patients in the finerenone and placebo groups had a vision-threatening event in ≥1 eye (difference -0.026, 95% CI -0.082 to 0.029, p=0.3550) . The number of events increased after 2 years, with trends in Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence probabilities in favor of finerenone at 30 and 36 months (post hoc) . Results were generally consistent across components of the primary endpoint and subgroups with baseline HbA1c ≤ and >7.5%, UACR 30-<300 and ≥300 mg/g, and mild/moderate and severe NPDR. Fewer finerenone vs. placebo patients had required ocular interventions (4 [3%] vs. 17 [15.5%]) , with trends for favorable probabilities at 24, 30, and 36 months (post hoc) . Observed trends for benefit of finerenone on progression of DR were independent of HbA1c. Disclosure P.Rossing: Consultant; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, Speaker's Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company. D.Finis: Employee; Bayer AG. S.Leal: Employee; Bayer Consumer Care AG. T.Schmelter: Employee; Bayer AG, Stock/Shareholder; Bayer AG. G.Bakris: Consultant; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca, DiaMedica Therapeutics, Inc., Horizon Therapeutics plc, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. S.Anker: Consultant; Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd., Research Support; Abbott. J.G.Garweg: Advisory Panel; AbbVie Inc., Research Support; Roche Pharmaceuticals, Speaker's Bureau; Bayer AG, Novartis AG. T.Osonoi: Research Support; Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Kowa Company, Ltd., Novo Nordisk, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk. B.Pitt: Advisory Panel; Merck & Co., Inc., Consultant; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. S.Rosas: Advisory Panel; AstraZeneca, Teladoc Health, Other Relationship; Bayer AG, Research Support; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG. L.M.Ruilope: Consultant; Bayer AG. D.Zhu: n/a. M.Brinker: Employee; Bayer AG.