Renal disease News and Research

RSS

Proteon Therapeutics commences PRT-201 Phase 1/2 clinical study in hemodialysis patients

Proteon Therapeutics, Inc., has initiated a Phase 1/2 human clinical study of its lead product, PRT-201, in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing surgery for arteriovenous graft (AVG) creation. The AVG study represents Proteon's second human clinical study in hemodialysis patients, previously announcing the initiation of a Phase 1/2 study of PRT-201 in ESRD patients undergoing surgery for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation earlier this year.

23 Nov 2009

Children with kidney disease likely to have "masked" hypertension

Spot blood pressure readings in children with chronic kidney disease often fail to detect hypertension - even during doctor's office visits - increasing a child's risk for serious heart problems, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other institutions. A report of the findings appears online in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology.

20 Nov 2009

Incidence of stroke related to coronary angioplasty remain steady over a 15-year period: Mayo Clinic study

Results of a Mayo Clinic study show the incidence of stroke or mini-stroke related to a coronary angioplasty (http://www.mayoclinic.org/heart-catheterization/types.html) remained steady over a 15-year period. Researchers say this is good news because physicians now are performing the artery-opening procedure on older patients who are sicker and need more complicated treatment.

17 Nov 2009

Endothelin increases T cells in the kidneys leading to renal injury

A key player in a cascade that likely begins with stress and leads to high blood pressure and kidney damage has been identified by researchers who say the finding may lead to better ways to control both.

6 Nov 2009

FDA update on BYETTA injection: Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly respond

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Eli Lilly and Company today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) update on BYETTA® (exenatide) injection.

3 Nov 2009

Study: Charcoal lessens atherosclerotic lesions in mice with kidney damage

Charcoal may provide a new approach to managing the high rate of heart disease in patients with advanced kidney disease, according to preliminary research being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA.

2 Nov 2009

Amgen publishes Phase 3 study results of Aranesp

Amgen today announced the publication of results from TREAT (the Trial to Reduce Cardiovascular Events with Aranesp® Therapy), a large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 pivotal study of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis, moderate anemia and type-2 diabetes.

31 Oct 2009

Reading levels of kidney transplant consent forms can make it difficult for patients to make informed decisions

Kidney transplant consent forms are often written at a level that makes it difficult for many kidney patients to fully understand them, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting in San Diego, CA. The study findings indicate that consent forms are written on average at a 12th-grade reading level, but to ensure all patients fully comprehend treatment options should be prepared at a 5th - 8th grade reading level.

30 Oct 2009

Vitamin D deficiency may account for increased risk of end-stage renal disease in African Americans

Low levels of vitamin D may account for nearly 60 percent of the elevated risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans, according to a report in the December Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

30 Oct 2009

CCS updates the Canadian guidelines for the management and treatment of dyslipidemia

The management of dyslipidemia continues to evolve and despite improvements in recurrent cardiovascular events and a decrease in cardiac mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) still represents the major burden of disease in this country.

29 Oct 2009

Critical illness insurance, an additional layer of financial protection

As breast cancer awareness month winds to a close and pink ribbons symbolizing the brave fight against this disease take their place on survivors' dressers, the fight continues. Putting the spotlight on this devastating disease has made people think about their own mortality and what would happen if they were diagnosed with a critical illness, says Frank N. Darras, America's top Long Term Disability Lawyer.

28 Oct 2009

Additional CFTR inhibitor technology licensed to Napo Pharmaceuticals

Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has in-licensed from the University of California Regents additional small-molecule cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitor technology including gastrointestinal (GI) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) indications.

26 Oct 2009

Japanese Patent granted for Pharmalink AB's Nefecon

Pharmalink AB announced today that it has been granted Japanese Patent No 4326696, "Methods and means for treating glomerulonephritis" for its product Nefecon(R) which is being developed to treat IgA nephropathy, a glomerulonephritis leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Counterparts of the patent have been issued for other territories including the EU, US and China.

26 Oct 2009

Study shows appropriate use of CRRT improves AKI patient outcomes

A study appearing today in the New England Journal of Medicine adds to the growing body of evidence supporting continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) as the therapy of choice for treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

23 Oct 2009

New public health tool to identify all Tier 1 candidates for H1N1 vaccination

Practice Fusion Inc. (www.practicefusion.com), the free, web-based electronic health record (EHR) for physicians, today implemented a first-of-its-kind tool that allows its physician-users to immediately and accurately identify all Tier 1 candidates for H1N1 vaccination from their patient populations using criteria published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

21 Oct 2009

Nephrologists should weigh the benefits of dialysis over more conservative therapies for frail elders

Kidney specialists should weigh the potential quality of life for frail elders with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in opting for dialysis over more conservative therapies, a nephrologist and a palliative care specialist suggest in an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine.

15 Oct 2009

Kidney Care Partners commends CBC for supporting reforms to improve access to quality kidney care

Kidney Care Partners - an alliance of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers and manufacturers working together to improve quality of care for individuals with kidney disease and kidney failure - today applauded the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for supporting reforms that will improve patient access and choice in receiving quality kidney care.

13 Oct 2009

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honours researchers

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honored eight of its researchers with awards for excellence at the 13th Annual Research Awards Day Oct. 1.

12 Oct 2009

AST assembles at Capitol Hill to support health care reform for kidney transplant recipients

As Congress wraps up work on health care reform, members of the American Society of Transplantation's (AST) Public Policy Committee arrived on Capitol Hill today to discuss the importance of supporting a health care provision that would ensure kidney transplant recipients continue to receive.

9 Oct 2009

Exercise offers significant health benefits for patients with chronic kidney dysfunction

Getting off the couch could lead to a longer life for kidney disease patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the JClinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN).