Mutations in Non-collagen Genes Can Worsen Alport-related Kidney Problems, Study Suggests

Although typically not considered a cause of Alport syndrome, mutations in the LAMA5 gene, in combination with those in collagen IV (COL4) genes, can affect the clinical presentation and aggravate the severity of kidney problems linked to this disease, a study…

Patients in Japan Also Show Good Long-term Survival After Kidney Transplant and No Sign of Alport’s Return, Study Finds

Alport syndrome (AS) patients in Japan undergoing a kidney transplant were found to have long-term survival rates similar to patients whose transplant was due to other causes of kidney failure, a study in that country reports. The study, “Long-term survival in Japanese renal transplant recipients with Alport syndrome:…

Erlotinib Reduced Renal Inflammation in Alport Syndrome Mice, but Not Kidney Damage

Treatment with the drug erlotinib decreased kidney inflammation in mice with Alport syndrome, although it showed no impact in delaying disease progression. Erlotinib, sold by Genentech under the brand name Tarceva, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to treat certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer.