Could Dapagliflozin Treat Diabetic Retinopathy?

New animal model research presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2021 Virtual Sessions this week indicated cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, and renal outcome therapy dapagliflozin may possibly aid patients with diabetic retinopathy.

The data, presented by Ashay D. Bhatwadekar, PhD, RPh, associate professor at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, showedpositive effect on glycemic control and measures of potential anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic action in the dosed mouse models.

Dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy indicated as an adjunct treatment for a litany of heart disease, diabetic, and kidney-related symptoms and events, was a clear selection for assessment by Bhatwadekar and colleagues.

In an interview with HCPLive during ARVO 2021, he explained his team’s rationale—noting that no previous research has sought to interpret the dynamic SGLT-2 inhibitor drug class in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

“Since the majority of the glucose uptake is happening at the kidneys, about 90% from SGLT-2, I like the idea that this is the drug that this is the drug which is basically getting rid of the glucose rate,” Bhatwadekar said.

Additionally, he discussed the early study’s outcomes, and the pretext for progressed assessment into treating diabetic retinopathy symptoms with proven therapies including dapagliflozin.

“Considering its use into cardiovascular conditions, I think that kind of multi-regimented use you see makes sense that you look into seeing it in diabetic retinopathy,” he wrote.

The study, “Dapagliflozin treatment protects from diabetic retinopathy,” was presented at ARVO 2021.