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New therapeutic strategies under development to halt the progression of renal failure
Valeria Cernaro1, Gianluca Trifirò, Giuseppina Lorenzano
1University of Messina, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Messina , Italy +39 090 2212396 ; +39 090 2212317 ; dsantoro@unime.it.
Introduction:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pathological condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, prevention of CKD onset and progression is mandatory. As pharmacological agents already used in clinical practice are not yet able to halt the progression of renal damage, new therapeutic strategies are being explored.
Areas Covered:
The authors carried out a systematic review on completed and ongoing Phase I and II clinical trials with an aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutic approaches to CKD. The data in this manuscript was retrieved from the currently available scientific literature as well as from the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Expert Opinion:
Several drugs are currently under investigation due to their supposed antiproteinuric action, such as selective endothelin-A receptor antagonists and vitamin D analogues. Other drugs could be used in CKD because of their antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties or due to the hypothetical ability to repair damaged podocytes. A fascinating therapeutic approach involves the use of progenitor/stem cells. There is still some way to go in the use of stem cells in clinical practice but remarkable progress has been made. This is especially true in terms of the understanding of their biology and behaviour, as well as in the procedures required to mobilize and activate endogenous stem cells in damaged kidneys or simply introducing them.
Insights
New treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD) are being explored, including novel drugs and stem cell therapies, to halt renal damage progression. Research focuses on safety and efficacy in early-stage clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents significant morbidity and mortality risks.
- Current treatments are insufficient to halt CKD progression, necessitating new therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review Phase I and II clinical trials of novel therapeutic approaches for CKD.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of emerging CKD treatments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of completed and ongoing Phase I and II clinical trials.
- Data sourced from scientific literature and ClinicalTrials.gov.
Main Results:
- Several drug classes, including endothelin-A receptor antagonists and vitamin D analogues, show potential antiproteinuric effects.
- Investigational drugs possess antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties.
- Stem cell therapy is a promising approach, with advancements in understanding cell biology and application methods.
Conclusions:
- Novel pharmacological agents and stem cell therapies represent potential breakthroughs in managing CKD.
- Further research and clinical trials are essential to establish the safety and efficacy of these innovative treatments.
- Understanding stem cell behavior and optimizing delivery methods are key to their clinical translation for kidney repair.
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