Endocrinology Month in Review: June 2025

June 2025 brought a wave of high-impact updates across endocrinology, with new data and expert perspectives emerging from 3 of the field’s most influential meetings—ERA 2025, Heart in Diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. From chronic kidney disease (CKD) to cardiometabolic care and next-generation therapies for diabetes and obesity, the month was packed with developments that could influence practice in both primary and specialty care.

Whether you missed the conferences or just need a refresher, here’s a quick look at the biggest storylines and standout updates from a pivotal month in endocrine medicine.

European Renal Association

CONFIDENCE: SGLT2i and Finerenone Effective, Safe to Initiate Simultaneously in CKD

Results from the CONFIDENCE trial showed simultaneous initiation of finerenone (Kerendia) and empagliflozin (Jardiance) was well-tolerated and led to a 52% reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), significantly outperforming either therapy alone in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes. Based on data from 800 patients, combination therapy reduced UACR 29% more than finerenone alone and 32% more than empagliflozin alone. According to investigators, this supports early combination use to enhance kidney and cardiovascular protection.

Related: Kidney Compass: CONFIDENCE Trial at ERA 2025, with Rajiv Agarwal, MD, MS

19 Trial Meta-Analysis Finds GLP-1 RAs Have Substantial Kidney Benefits

A meta-analysis presented at ERA 2025 evaluated 19 randomized controlled trials (n=90,882) and found that GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduced the risk of composite renal outcomes by 19% and slowed eGFR decline. These agents also improved secondary endpoints, including a 24% reduction in microalbuminuria, 15% fewer major adverse cardiovascular events, and a 14% reduction in all-cause mortality. The findings were consistent across trials with low risk of bias, primarily involving diabetic patients.

Heart in Diabetes

Comparing Screening Methods for Heart Failure in Patients with Diabetes, with Mohammad Shahzeb Khan, MD

At the 9th Annual Heart in Diabetes Conference in Philadelphia, PA, Mohammad Shahzeb Khan, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, presented the results from his pooled cohort analysis comparing methods of measuring risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Leveraging SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs in Heart Failure, with Jose Lopez, MD

Once viewed solely as glucose-lowering agents for type 2 diabetes, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs have emerged as powerful tools in the management of heart failure. In this interview, Jose Lopez, MD, discusses the evolving understanding of the utility of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs in heart failure care, including both HFpEF and HFrEF.

American Diabetes Association

The 85th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions delivered impactful data, with actionable implications for patient care today and in the future. Held from June 20-23, 2025, the meeting drew thousands of care providers from the US and abroad to in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting featured more than half a dozen simultaneous publications in major journals, including The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine. Use this link to check out all of our ADA 2025 coverage, including late-breaking trial recaps, investigator interviews, and exclusive expert-led podcast episodes.

Check out our preview of our trials recap below!

ADA 2025 Recap: 7 Trials to Know (Preview below)

1. Zimislecel Enables Insulin Independence in 10 Participants with Type 1 Diabetes
2. ACHIEVE-1: Oral GLP-1 Agonist Orforglipron Shows Strong HbA1c, Weight Reductions
3. BELIEVE: Bimagrumab + Semaglutide Combo Yields Substantial Fat-Mass Weight Loss, Preserves Lean Mass
4. Once-Monthly Obesity Drug, MariTide, Achieves Weight Loss Up to 16% at 1 Year
5. CATALYST Trial: Mifepristone Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes with Hypercortisolism
6. QWINT-1: Weekly Insulin Efsitora Matches Daily Basal Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes
7. ADA 2025: CagriSema Demonstrates Dual Benefit in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Dialogue in June 2025

As part of our continued coverage of updates in diabetes care and endocrinology, our flagship endocrinology podcast coverage the latest updates and headlines in the field. During the month of June, this culminated in the release of 8 new episodes, including 5 on-site recordings at ADA 2025. Check out our recap below to learn more about each episode:

• American Diabetes Association Consensus Report on MASLD

• CATALYST Trial, Mifepristone, and Hypercortisolism in T2D, with John Buse, MD, PhD
• REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2, with Timothy Garvey, MD, and Melanie Davies, MD
• Addressing America's Shortage of Diabetes Care Providers, with Jay Shubrook, DO, & Conan Tu, MD
Updates from Dexcom at ADA 2025, with Kevin Sayer
• The Diabetes Collective, with Rachael Sood, RN, MSN, APRN

• May 2025 Diabetes Tech & Breakthrough T1D Updates

• ADA 2025 Preview