Renal disease News and Research

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Kidney transplants more frequent among NxStage home hemodialysis patients

NxStage Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today commented on findings of the Chronic Disease Research Group (CDRG) study showing that patients receiving daily, or more frequent, home hemodialysis with the NxStage System One are more likely to receive a kidney transplant when compared with conventional thrice-weekly dialysis, particularly in patients not on the transplant waitlist at initiation of daily home hemodialysis.

14 May 2012

A Better Method for Diagnosing Kidney Disease

Assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using kidney filtration markers in blood is the standard means for determining kidney function, diagnosing kidney disease and measuring its progression. A higher filtration rate indicates healthy kidney function, while a lower rate points to various stages of kidney disease. A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the new CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR is a better predictor of risk for kidney disease and death compared to the most widely used method. The findings suggest that switching to the CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR could focus efforts more efficiently, and improve assessment of patient future risk and treatment of kidney disease. The study is published in the May 9 edition of JAMA.

10 May 2012

CKD-EPI equation may provide more accurate risk prediction of death, ESRD

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., principal investigator at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed), is the author of an invited editorial in JAMA. The editorial accompanied a study that included data from more than 1 million adults, and indicated the use of a newer risk prediction equation that classified fewer individuals as having chronic kidney disease and more accurately categorized the risk for death and end-stage renal disease.

9 May 2012

Intensive dialysis at home could increase survival chances for patients with ESRD

Patients suffering with end-stage renal disease could increase their survival chances by undergoing intensive dialysis at home rather than the conventional dialysis in clinics. A new study by Lawson Health Research Institute shows the potential of more intensive dialysis completed in a home setting.

26 Apr 2012

JT/Torii report positive results from ferric citrate Phase 3 study for hyperphosphatemia

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that its Japanese partner, Japan Tobacco Inc. and Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., has announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study of ferric citrate in Japan for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis.

23 Apr 2012

Medgenics seeks IND approval to initiate EPODURE Biopump Phase IIb anemia study in ESRD patients

Medgenics, Inc., the developer of a novel technology for the sustained production and delivery of therapeutic proteins in patients using their own tissue, today announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to initiate a Phase IIb multi-center, 100-patient clinical trial.

18 Apr 2012

FDA selects three renal device projects for new Pathway program

A UCSF-led effort to create an implantable artificial kidney for dialysis patients has been selected as one of the first projects to undergo more timely and collaborative review at the Food and Drug Administration.

10 Apr 2012

Three ESRD products chosen for FDA's Innovation Pathway program

Three products for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) have been chosen to participate in the FDA's Innovation Pathway, an evolving system designed to help medical devices reach patients in a safe, timely and collaborative manner.

10 Apr 2012

Keryx does not meet primary endpoint in perifosine + capecitabine Phase 3 trial for colorectal cancer

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. reported today that the Phase 3 "X-PECT" clinical trial evaluating perifosine (KRX-0401) + capecitabine (Xeloda) in patients with refractory advanced colorectal cancer did not meet the primary endpoint of improving overall survival versus capecitabine + placebo.

3 Apr 2012

Althea provides Allena exclusive worldwide rights to broad hyperoxaluria portfolio

Allena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Althea Technologies today announced a licensing agreement under which Allena has obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to Althea's broad hyperoxaluria portfolio including product patents, regulatory information and development data related to oxalate degrading enzymes.

29 Mar 2012

Medgenics to commence EPODURE Biopumps Phase IIa study in ESRD-related anemia

Medgenics, Inc., the developer of a novel technology for the sustained production and delivery of therapeutic proteins in patients using their own tissue, today announced receipt of clearance from the Israeli Ministry of Health to initiate a Phase IIa clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of sustained erythropoietin therapy produced and delivered by the Company's EPODURE Biopumps.

26 Mar 2012

Bone-marrow derived MSCs may reduce acute rejection rates in kidney recipients

Among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing living-related kidney transplants, the use of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal (cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types) stem cells instead of antibody induction therapy resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection, decreased risk of opportunistic infection, and better estimated kidney function at 1 year, according to a study in the March 21 issue of JAMA.

21 Mar 2012

Experts highlight latest advances in use of biomarkers in various diseases

Over the last few decades there has been an explosion in the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and prognostic evaluation. In the April issue of Translational Research, entitled "Biomarkers: New Tools of Modern Medicine," an international group of medical experts explores the promise and challenges of biomarker discovery and highlights the latest advances in the use of biomarkers in various diseases.

16 Mar 2012

New rule ensuring equal access for ESRD patients receives DPC praise

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the nation's largest patient-led organization representing dialysis patients, applauded the Administration for taking steps to solidify a key provision that will ensure end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have equal access to private coverage as Affordable Care Act reforms are implemented.

14 Mar 2012

Magnesium may help reduce blood pressure

Researchers from the University of Hertfordshire have found that magnesium supplements may offer small but clinically significant reductions in blood pressure. In a paper published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers also discovered that the size of the effect increased in line with increased dosage.

14 Mar 2012

Diaverum takes an active role in 2012 World Kidney day

Diaverum, one of the world's leading renal care service providers, is taking an active role in today's World Kidney day. Through activities such as open door days at dialysis clinics, free kidney screening and blood pressure tests, Diaverum is increasing awareness for renal diseases and informing about possible prevention measures.

8 Mar 2012

New minimally invasive procedure can treat resistant hypertension

A radically different approach to treating high blood pressure - using a minimally invasive procedure- is being evaluated as part of a Pivotal Phase III 90-site national trial that includes The Carl H. and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education at The Christ Hospital.

8 Mar 2012

Researchers identify key molecular player in mouse model of kidney disease

In findings that may lead to clinical trials of a promising new drug for kidney disease, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and their colleagues have identified a key molecular player and shown how a targeted experimental drug can reverse kidney damage in mouse models of diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic kidney disease, and other kidney injuries.

8 Mar 2012

Celldex fourth quarter net loss increases to $12.7 million

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2011.

8 Mar 2012

AMAG fourth quarter total revenues decrease to $14.9 million

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a therapeutic iron compound to treat iron deficiency anemia, today reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the company's cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled approximately $230 million.

5 Mar 2012