The Role of Finerenone in the Management of Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. Even though mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) induce incremental reductions in urine albumin excretion when added to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, this combination is infrequently used because of an increased risk of hyperkalemia. In this context, finerenone, a novel selective MRA that appears to be associated with lower risk for hyperkalemia compared with other MRAs (spironolactone and eplerenone), might represent a useful tool in patients with DN. A recent large randomized trial suggested that finerenone delays the progression of DN and might also reduce cardiovascular morbidity in patients with DN. However, more data are needed to clarify the safety and efficacy of finerenone in this high-risk population.