Repurposing the β3-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Mirabegron in Patients With Structural Cardiac Disease
Authors: Balligand Jean-Luc , Brito Dulce , Brosteanu Oana , Casadei Barbara , Depoix Christophe , Edelmann Frank , Ferreira Vanessa , Filippatos Gerasimos , Gerber Bernhard , Gruson Damien , Hasenclever Dirk , Hellenkamp Kristian , Ikonomidis Ignatios , Krakowiak Bartosz , Lhommel Renaud , Mahmod Masliza , Neubauer Stefan , Persu Alexandre , Piechnik Stefan , Pieske Burkert , Pieske-Kraigher Elisabeth , Pinto Fausto , Ponikowski Piotr , Senni Michele , Trochu Jean-Noël , Van Overstraeten Nancy , Wachter Rolf , Pouleur Anne-Catherine 
Published: September 2023

Importance

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy contributes to the onset and progression of heart failure (HF), particularly for patients with pre-HF (stage B) for whom no treatment has yet proven effective to prevent transition to overt HF (stage C). The β3-adrenergic receptors (β3ARs) may represent a new target, as their activation attenuates LV remodeling.

Objective

To determine whether activation of β3ARs by repurposing a β3AR agonist, mirabegron, is safe and effective in preventing progression of LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction among patients with pre- or mild HF.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Beta3-LVH prospective, triple-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b randomized clinical trial enrolled patients between September 12, 2016, and February 26, 2021, with a follow-up of 12 months. The trial was conducted at 10 academic hospitals in 8 countries across Europe (Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and the UK). Patients aged 18 years or older with or without HF symptoms (maximum New York Heart Association class II) were screened for the presence of LV hypertrophy (increased LV mass index [LVMI] of ≥95 g/m2 for women or ≥115 g/m2 for men) or maximum wall thickness of 13 mm or greater using echocardiography. Data analysis was performed in August 2022.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to mirabegron (50 mg/d) or placebo, stratified by the presence of atrial fibrillation and/or type 2 diabetes, for 12 months.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end points were LVMI determined using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and LV diastolic function (early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity [E/e′] ratio assessed using Doppler echocardiography) at 12 months. Patients with at least 1 valid measurement of either primary end point were included in the primary analysis. Safety was assessed for all patients who received at least 1 dose of study medication.

Results

Of the 380 patients screened, 296 were enrolled in the trial. There were 147 patients randomized to mirabegron (116 men [79%]; mean [SD] age, 64.0 [10.2] years) and 149 to placebo (112 men [75%]; mean [SD] age, 62.2 [10.9] years). All patients were included in the primary intention-to-treat analysis. At 12 months, the baseline and covariate-adjusted differences between groups included a 1.3-g/m2 increase in LVMI (95% CI, −0.15 to 2.74; P = .08) and a −0.15 decrease in E/e′ (95% CI, −0.69 to 0.4; P = .60). A total of 213 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 82 mirabegron-treated patients (including 31 serious AEs in 19 patients) and 215 AEs occurred in 88 placebo-treated patients (including 30 serious AEs in 22 patients). No deaths occurred during the trial.

Conclusions

In this study, mirabegron therapy had a neutral effect on LV mass or diastolic function over 12 months among patients who had structural heart disease with no or mild HF symptoms.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02599480