Background: The TROFEO trial demonstrated that febuxostat causes greater and more rapid reduction of serum uric acid (s-UA) than topiroxostat. We compared these drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by sub-analysis of the TROFEO trial.

Methods: This sub-analysis targeted patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m². The primary endpoint was the s-UA level. Secondary endpoints included creatinine, eGFR, urinary albumin, cystatin-C, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio, lipid biomarkers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Results: There was no significant difference of s-UA between the two groups either before or after treatment. However, s-UA did not exceed 6.0 mg/dL in febuxostat group during the study period, but it exceeded this level in seven patients from topiroxostat group, with the number being significantly higher in topiroxostat group. Serum creatinine (s-Cr) and eGFR were significantly better after 6 months of febuxostat treatment compared with topiroxostat Cystatin-C was significantly lower after 6 months of febuxostat treatment compared with topiroxostat. The Ox-LDL was significantly lower after 3 and 6 months of febuxostat treatment compared with topiroxostat.

Conclusion: Febuxostat had stronger renoprotective and antioxidant effects than topiroxostat in patients with hyperuricemia and CKD.