Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN, to Become Next President of the American Society of Nephrology

Dr. Roy-Chaudhury will head up an organization—with nearly 21,000 health professionals representing 140 countries—dedicated to leading the fight against kidney diseases.

Preclinical Studies Test Novel Gene Therapy for Treating IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune kidney disease, and complement, a component of the innate immune system, plays a role in the condition’s pathogenesis. Investigators have developed and tested a novel gene therapy that enters kidney cells and enables them to block complement activation. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

Trial Assesses Antibody Therapy for Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection

Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (caAMR) is a common cause of allograft loss after transplantation, with no approved therapies. Clazakizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), stabilized kidney transplant recipients’ kidney function in a phase 2 trial. Investigators now have data from a phase 3 trial with clazakizumab. The findings from the Phase 3 IMAGINE trial, the largest placebo-controlled study in kidney transplant recipients with caAMR, will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

Researchers Test Imlifidase Enzyme Versus Plasma Exchange in Removing Donor-Specific Antibodies in Kidney Transplant Rejection Trial

For kidney transplant recipients experiencing antibody-mediated rejection, the current standard of care involves removing donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) through plasmapheresis (PLEX)—a procedure that removes antibodies from the plasma portion of the blood. Results from a recent clinical trial reveal that an investigational drug called imlifidase, which cleaves and inactivates the type of antibodies that include DSAs, is more effective than PLEX. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23–27.

High-Impact Clinical Trials Generate Promising Results for Improving Kidney Health: Part 2

The results of numerous high-impact phase 3 clinical trials that could affect kidney-related medical care will be presented in-person at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23–27.

Do Certain Diabetes Drugs Increase the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Taking Anti-Cancer Therapies?

Glucagon-like peptide-1-receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are medications that are increasingly prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure. Reports of GLP-1RA–associated acute kidney injury (AKI) have emerged, but the risk of GLP-1RA–associated AKI among patients on anti-cancer drugs is unclear. Surprisingly, new research suggests that taking GLP-1RA is not associated with an increased risk of AKI in patients receiving anti-cancer therapies. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

Global, National, and Regional Trends in the Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease among Women

A recent analysis reveals that the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in women around the globe nearly tripled in the past three decades. Also, type 2 diabetes and hypertension were the leading causes of CKD-related deaths in women. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

How the Novel Antibody Felzartamab Impacts IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune kidney disease driven by immune cells that express a protein called CD38 on their surface. A recent Phase 2 trial revealed that felzartamab, an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, helps to reduce proteinuria and maintain patients’ kidney function. Investigators evaluated the molecular mechanisms underlying felzartamab’s potential efficacy in IgAN. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

Heart and Kidney Outcomes After Canagliflozin Treatment in Older Adults

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, but it is unclear whether their effects differ based on patients’ age. A recent analysis of clinical trial data reveals that the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin benefited patients across all age categories. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23 – 27.

Researchers Integrate Multiple Protein Markers to Predict Health Outcomes in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease

Prior efforts to identify novel kidney biomarkers as risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression have typically evaluated proteins individually, which limits their prognostic power. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK’s) CKD Biomarkers Consortium of investigators recently developed and tested novel dimensions of kidney health by combining a set of 17 urine and plasma biomarkers that had been individually associated with CKD progression. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

Yale Study Explores Kidney Team Impact on Acute Injury Care

In a new study published October 25th in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Yale School of Medicine researchers set out to test whether rapidly delivered, personalized care recommendations from a dedicated “kidney action team” could improve outcomes for hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).

The Clinical Significance of Microvascular Inflammation after Kidney Transplantation

Investigators recently uncovered key insights into newly defined rejection entities in kidney transplantation that may offer improved patient risk categorization post-transplant. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23– 27.

White Blood Cell Changes Develop in Acute Kidney Injury, Regardless of Cause

Article title: Distinct developmental reprogramming footprint of macrophages during acute kidney injury across species Authors: Michal Mrug, Elias Mrug, Frida Rosenblum, Jiandong Chen, Xiangqin Cui, Anupam Agarwal, Abolfazl Zarjou From the authors: “Our findings identify robust acute kidney injury (AKI)-induced…

Acute kidney injury not associated with worsening kidney function in persons with CKD

A study of hospitalized persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) fournd that acute kidney injury (AKI) did not predict worsening of kidney function trajectory once difference in pre-hospitalization characteristically were fully accounted for. Instead, the authors suggest that much of determinants of faster kidney disease decline observed after AKI may already be present before AKI. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Past Kidney Disease May Increase Preeclampsia Risk, Impair Blood Vessel Health during Pregnancy

A history of kidney problems may put people at a higher risk for impaired blood vessel function, which could lead to high blood pressure, preterm labor and other adverse outcomes, according to the results of a study in rats. The researchers will present their work this week at the American Physiological Society (APS) and American Society for Nephrology Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease conference in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Mount Sinai Cardiologist Develops New Risk Score to Help Predict Possible Contrast-Associated Kidney Injury After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Assessment can help stratify high-risk patients for monitoring before, during, and after procedures to improve outcomes

Strong immune response underlies acute kidney injury related to COVID-19

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that acute kidney injury associated with COVID-19 resembles sepsis-caused kidney injury, and the immune response triggered by the infection plays a pivotal role.

The findings, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, also suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction — a loss of function in cellular energy production — is commonly found in kidney injury related to COVID-19.

Surprise Discovery Shows Chronic Heart Dysfunction Protects against Acute Kidney Injury

Article title: Activation of hypoxia-sensing pathways promotes renal ischemic preconditioning following myocardial infarction Authors: Andrew S. Terker, Kensuke Sasaki, Juan Pablo Arroyo, Aolei Niu, Suwan Wang, Xiaofeng Fan, Yahua Zhang, Sochinwechi Nwosisi, Ming-Zhi Zhang, Raymond C. Harris From the authors:…

High risk of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing treatment for infected total knee replacements

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurred in nearly 20 percent of patients who underwent surgery with implantation of antibiotic-loaded “spacers” and intravenous (IV) antibiotics for the treatment of deep infections after total knee arthroplasty, reports a study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio in partnership with Wolters Kluwer.

Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Wednesday.

Kidney Injury in Diabetic Ketoacidosis Linked to Brain Injury

Researchers have identified factors that make children with diabetic ketoacidosis more likely to experience acute kidney injury. Analyzing data from a large, multicenter clinical trial, the researchers also found that children who experience acute kidney injury are more likely to also experience subtle cognitive impairment and demonstrate lower IQ scores, suggesting a pattern of multiple organ injury.

Enzyme Activation after Acute Kidney Injury May Lead to Tubule Atrophy

Article title: Intratubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tubular atrophy after kidney injury in mice Authors: Noriyuki Yamashita, Tetsuro Kusaba, Tomohiro Nakata, Aya Tomita, Tomoharu Ida, Noriko Watanabe-Uehara, Kisho Ikeda, Takashi Kitani, Masahiro Uehara, Yuhei Kirita, Satoaki Matoba, Benjamin D. Humphreys, Keiichi Tamagaki From…

Xenobiotic Receptor Activation, CRISPR/Cas9, Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy, and More Featured in May 2020 Toxicological Sciences

During these difficult times, the Society of Toxicology’s official journal, Toxicological Sciences, remains a source for leading research in toxicology, including in the areas of biomarkers, carcinogenesis, and organ-specific toxicology.

Vinyl Chloride, Nerve Growth Factor, Chemical Warfare, and More Examined in March 2020 Toxicological Sciences

The March 2020 issue of Toxicological Sciences features leading research in toxicology, covering investigations in biotransformation, toxicokinetics, and pharmacokinetics in addition to work in exposure sciences and environmental toxicology.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO SAVE LIVES FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) recently launched a new initiative aimed at saving lives of those who suffer from acute kidney injury (AKI). Made possible by a grant from Baxter Healthcare Corporation, the effort is called AKI!Now: Promoting Excellence in the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury.

American Physiological Society (APS)

Low Dose of Bacterial Toxin Could Be Protective for Men at Risk of Acute Kidney Injury

Lipopolysaccharide improved outcomes for male, but not female, rats Charlottesville, Va. (June 25, 2019)—In a counterintuitive result, researchers found that giving male rats a low dose of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) prior to inducing a model of acute kidney injury…