Patricia Inacio, PhD,  —

The European Commission (EC) has granted orphan drug status to bardoxolone methyl (bardoxolone)as a possible treatment for Alport syndrome, the therapy’s developer, Reata Pharmaceuticals, announced. Its effectiveness and safety are now being evaluated in a global clinical trial that’s enrolling patients with confirmed Alport syndrome and symptoms of kidney…

In patients with acute kidney inflammation, also known as glomerulonephritis, recurrence of the disease is a significant factor underlying failed kidney transplants, a study suggests. The study, “Clinical Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Biopsy-Proven Glomerulonephritis,” was published in the journal Transplantation Proceedings. Clinical outcomes of patients with…

While Alport syndrome and Pierson syndrome are two diseases caused by mutations in genes important for the correct functioning of the kidney’s filtration system, the two diseases have different manifestations. Understanding what these syndromes have in common and what distinguishes them may benefit the design of targeted therapies for each…

New results from the Phase 2/3 CARDINAL trial continue to support the benefits of bardoxolone methyl in improving kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to Alport syndrome. Data from a new analysis of the trial’s Phase 2 part show that significant improvements to the kidneys…

An international group of experts has proposed a new classification system for genetic diseases linked to mutations in the collagen IV a345 molecule, suggesting all conditions are referred to as forms of Alport syndrome. The study, “Alport syndrome: a unified classification of genetic disorders of collagen IV…

A case report about an Alport syndrome patient with end-stage renal disease diagnosed with early breast cancer emphasizes the need for communication between nephrologists and oncologists to tackle both diseases without compromising the patient’s well-being. The case study, “Treatment of breast cancer in a patient of Alport syndrome-induced chronic…

Kyowa Hakko Kirin, a partner company of Reata Pharmaceuticals, presented positive results from its TSUBAKI study showing that Reata’s investigational therapy bardoxolone methyl significantly improved kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. The presentation, “Bardoxolone Methyl Improved GFR Measured by Standard…

A new kind of microscope approach has revealed very fine structural details of the kidneys of mice with Alport syndrome, definition that may help scientists better understand the causes of the condition. Researchers published a study about the approach, called helium ion scanning microscopy, in the journal Scientific Reports. It was titled “…

A protein receptor that is activated in the early phase of chronic kidney disease contributes to the development of bone, cardiac and kidney dysfunction, according to a study using a mouse model of Alport syndrome. The title of the research was “The activin receptor is stimulated in the skeleton,…

Genetic testing of patients with symptoms suggesting Alport syndrome could help doctors make a definitive diagnosis, a study reports. The tests could also identify genetic errors associated with the disease, helping doctors and patients manage it better. Researchers published their study in the Journal of Medical Genetics. It was titled “…