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The next generation of therapeutics for chronic kidney disease
Matthew D Breyer1, Katalin Susztak2
1Biotechnology Discovery Research, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA.
Insights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has no cure, with current treatments offering limited success. Emerging strategies targeting novel mechanisms show promise for future CKD therapies.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of mortality in the US.
- Current treatments focus on blood pressure control via renin-angiotensin system blockade, which only delays disease progression and has side effects.
- Novel mechanisms like vascular changes, cell loss, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation are implicated in CKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging therapeutic strategies and agents for treating chronic kidney disease.
- To highlight the challenges in the clinical development of these novel CKD treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Assessment of novel mechanisms contributing to CKD.
- Evaluation of emerging therapeutic approaches and agents for CKD.
Main Results:
- Identification of several novel mechanisms driving CKD progression.
- Emerging strategies target these new mechanisms for potential CKD treatment.
- Clinical development of these novel therapies faces significant challenges.
Conclusions:
- Novel therapeutic targets and agents are being developed for chronic kidney disease.
- Addressing vascular changes, cell loss, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation offers new treatment avenues.
- Overcoming clinical development hurdles is crucial for translating these advances into effective CKD therapies.
Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a leading cause of death in the United States. There is no cure for this disease, with current treatment strategies relying on blood pressure control through blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. Such approaches only delay the development of end-stage kidney disease and can be associated with serious side effects. Recent identification of several novel mechanisms contributing to CKD development - including vascular changes, loss of podocytes and renal epithelial cells, matrix deposition, inflammation and metabolic dysregulation - has revealed new potential therapeutic approaches for CKD. This Review assesses emerging strategies and agents for CKD treatment, highlighting the associated challenges in their clinical development.
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