The GLP-1 agonist liraglutide has been shown to significantly decrease the risk of major cardiovascular events and death from any cause over a 3-year period: a 13% relative risk reduction, when compared with placebo as add-on therapy, according to results from the LEADER trial presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Other findings include a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 22% reduction in cardiovascular death during follow-up. Therapy with liraglutide was also associated with a significant 22% reduction in the time to a first renal event, which was a secondary endpoint.
More than 9000 patients were enrolled in LEADER, with more than 4400 assigned to liraglutide plus standard of care and the remaining assigned to placebo plus standard of care. Patients were treated for a median of 3.8 years.
CMHC Chair Robert Eckel, MD, who moderated the ADA press conference during which results were reported, indicated although LEADER is a complicated study, it may have an impact on practice. Speaking about the treatment algorithm when patients don’t reach HbA1c goals on metformin, Dr. Eckel said, “With EMPA-REG, published a year ago, and now with LEADER, we have to think beyond metformin as to what that second drug of choice might be. With LEADER we already have a hint that there may be another drug in this class that appears to be beneficial.”
For more insight and expert perspective, plan to attend the 11th Annual Cardiometabolic Health Congress, taking place this October 5-8, 2016 in Boston, MA, which will further explore the clinical implications of the results of CV outcomes trials including LEADER and EMPA-REG.
References:
MedPage Today. ADA: Liraglutide reduces risk risk of heart events. June 13, 2016.
