A new clinical trial has revealed that drug may lower chances around kidney failure by one-third in those with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. As a researcher from the team noted, this marks the first time in 18 years that a therapy could be available for those patients that suffer from both kidney disease and diabetes, where the drug would decrease kidney disease.

Science Daily revealed that the trial spanned 34 countries, with just over 4,400 participants.

Canagliflozin, the drug involved, is the only treatment approved to help protect kidney function for those suffering with Type 2 diabetes, and was also revealed as something that could also reduce chances around major cardiovascular events. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and helps to decrease blood glucose for patients with diabetes, and enhances excretion of glucose via the kidneys.

Those who have kidney disease and diabetes are also very high at risk for a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and potential death. With the results in this trial, researchers may have found an effective treatment, via a once-a-day pill to help reduce these risks, while also treating the patient’s diabetes and kidney disease issues.

In the trial, participants received stellar care for their kidney disease via a therapy called renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, also referred to as RAAS blockade. As well, half of the group were selected at random, and given canagliflozin, while the other half received placebo. Primary results revealed that those participants that were given the drug had a 30% less chance to get kidney failure and pass away from either cardiovascular disease or renal failure. The chances around kidney failure, or passing from kidney failure was decreased by 34%

Those who suffer from diabetes often develop kidney illnesses thanks to prolonged high blood sugar that harms the kidney’s blood vessels. To boot, diabetes can cause high blood pressure that sometimes weakens and stretches the blood vessels in the kidney. For twenty years, doctors have relied heavily on RAAS blockade to avoid kidney function deterioration, despite the fact that it lowers blood pressure and offers a delayed progression of kidney disease, patients still remain at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and renal failure.

As the number of individuals that have contracted diabetes has increased, and is estimated to increase even more in the next decade, a treatment like canagliflozin could create a huge impact for many.