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Present and future drug treatments for chronic kidney diseases: evolving targets in renoprotection

Norberto Perico1, Ariela Benigni, Giuseppe Remuzzi

  • 1Department of Medicine and Transplantation, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Via Gavazzeni 11-24125, Bergamo, Italy.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|October 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Preventing chronic kidney disease progression is crucial, as cures are limited. Therapies targeting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, inflammation, and fibrosis show promise in renoprotection for proteinuric renal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acquired chronic kidney diseases lack specific cures, and organ transplantation faces donor limitations.
  • Progression of chronic nephropathies is multifactorial, with intraglomerular hemodynamics and proteinuria being key drivers.
  • Current research focuses on preventing the progression of renal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established and novel therapeutic strategies for renoprotection in proteinuric renal diseases.
  • To highlight the role of intraglomerular hemodynamics and proteinuria in chronic kidney disease progression.
  • To discuss recent clinical trial results for emerging renoprotective agents.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established therapies, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system modulators.
  • Examination of novel drugs and biologics targeting inflammation, fibrosis, and glomerular injury.
  • Analysis of recent clinical trial data for renoprotective interventions.

Main Results:

  • Established therapies modulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are effective in proteinuric renal diseases.
  • Emerging drugs and biologics show potential in targeting inflammatory and profibrotic pathways.
  • Recent clinical trials provide insights into the efficacy of novel renoprotective strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of proteinuric renal diseases relies on targeting key pathological processes.
  • Novel therapeutic approaches offer new avenues for preventing chronic kidney disease progression.
  • Continued research and clinical trials are essential for advancing renoprotection strategies.

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