CKD-FIX: A Randomised, Controlled Trial Of Allopurinol In The Slowing Of Kidney Disease Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,917,147.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem affecting over 1.5 million Australians and is associated with increased risk of death, heart disease and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Current treatments to slow progression to ESKD are limited. The CKD-FIX trial aims to find out whether treatment with allopurinol, a commonly used drug for gout prevention, safely and effectively slows CKD progression. This could lead to significant health and economic benefits.
Living kidney donation remains a complex ethical issue. The expectation is that the risks to the donor are outweighed by the benefits to the donor and recipient. The long-term risks to the donor are however uncertain. This is an international prospective cohort study of 310 donors and 310 non-donors, including the recruitment of 85 donors and 85 non-donors in Australia. We will determine the long term risks on a kidney donor of a series of physical and psychological health outcomes.
The Role Of Tissue Hypoxia In The Evolution Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,391.00
Summary
We will determine how low oxygen levels in the kidney lead to kidney disease. We can now measure the levels of oxygen in kidney tissue in rats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a completely non-invasive way. We will study two common kinds of kidney disease. One, acute kidney injury, can result from administration of contrast agents used in x-ray diagnostic procedures. The other, chronic kidney disease, is common in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Tubulointerstitial Epigenetics- The Underlying Basis Of Progressive Fibrosis In Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,940.00
Summary
Although the kidney has capacity to repair after mild injuries, ongoing or severe injury results in scarring (so-called fibrosis) and a progressive loss of kidney function. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the transition from repair to fibrosis is important, because once fibrosis is initiated it can be extremely difficult to switch off or reverse.
Immunotherapeutic Strategies In Anti Myeloperoxidase ANCA Associated Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$615,998.00
Summary
Kidney disease is the 10th most common cause of death in Australia. Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a major cause of kidney disease. Autoimmunity underpins disease in most patients with the most severe forms. Following the discovery of the peptide that is the target of this autoimmunity promising new biological treatments are possible. This grant will assess the capacity of four emerging therapies to turn off injurious autoimmunity and treat disease.
The Therapeutic Role Of Complement Inhibition In ANCA Associated Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,964.00
Summary
ANCA associated vasculitis is an inflammatory disease involving the kidney filters which is a major cause of chronic kidney failure. Current drugs to treat it are toxic. Less toxic treatments are required. In this study we will explore the potential for new treatments targeting complement (a normal blood protein involved in inflammation) to attenuate this disease in mice. We hope to define the role of complement in this disease and the benefits of inhibiting it before we use it in humans.
Randomised Controlled Trial To Determine Efficacy And Safety Of Prescribed Water Intake To Prevent The Progression Of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (PREVENT-ADPKD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,751.00
Summary
Increasing the daily intake of water is well known to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones but there is growing evidence that it may also benefit other kidney diseases, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study will determine if adequate hydration can slow the progression of ADPKD, and could provide a relatively simple and cheap treatment for preventing the onset of kidney failure due to this disease.
Gamma-Delta Tregs, CD8 Tregs And Selected Natural Tregs To Treat Renal Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses due to ongoing damage to the kidney. We have identified three types of white cells that can reduce kidney damage in CKD. The first is a unique set of gamma-delta T cells that expand in the kidney and protect against injury. The second is a restricted set of CD8 T cell that can protect against kidney injury. The third are targeted natural regulatory T cells. These studies develop each of these three subsets as potential cellular therapies in CKD.
Vitamin D3 Receptor Signalling To Prevent Kidney Failure Due To Polycystic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,009.00
Summary
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common fatal inherited kidney disease in the world. Kidney failure is the most serious and life-threatening complication of PKD, but currently there is no treatment to prevent this problem. The aim of this project is to determine whether vitamin D3 can prevent kidney failure and hypertension due to PKD. The results of this project could lead to simple and cost-effective treatments to prevent kidney failure in patients suffering from PKD.
New Treatments For Acute Kidney Injury-Targeting The IL-17A Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,200.00
Summary
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of ill-health and death. Despite the frequency and seriousness of AKI no new treatments have developed over the past 40 years. While AKI can occur spontaneously it can also develop after treatment with medications, in particular cancer therapies. In this proposal we will explore the effect of new treatments to prevent AKI. We plan to identify new treatments for patients with AKI, with particular relevance to patients receiving cancer treatments.