Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody Associated Systemic Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,110.00
Summary
ANCA-associated vasculitis is a life-threatening disease. The PEXIVAS trial will investigate whether plasma exchange, in addition to immunosuppressive therapy and glucocorticoids, will reduce death and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease. Additionally, the project will also look at whether using a reduced dose of glucocorticoids is just as effective as larger doses in lessening the infectious complications of treatment.
Understanding And Optimising The Delivery Of Chronic Disease Care For Better Cardiovascular Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,402.00
Summary
The proposed research program will undertake research that utilises existing clinical information and structures. This information will provide evidence in a cost effective manner. A particular project will examine current treatment delivered to people with chronic disease. A second project will embed a study of the optimum level of sodium exposure in dialysis within routine clinical practice. The outcome will be a cost-efficient study that will potentially lead to improve outcomes.
The Beta-blocker To LOwer CArdiovascular Dialysis Events (BLOCADE) Feasibility Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,811.00
Summary
The BLOCADE Feasibility Study aims to find out what is needed for a study to see if the drug carvedilol reduces heart disease events in people who need kidney dialysis. Carvedilol is widely used to treat the types of heart disease that are common in people on dialysis but the nature of dialysis may lead to more side effects or to less benefit. A Feasibility Study must be done first to properly plan a large study of carvedilol in people on dialysis that answers this important question.
Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In ANCA Associated Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,243.00
Summary
Vasculitis is a life-threatening disease, and the current treatment for this condition is not satisfactory. This clinical trial aims to determine 1) if plasma exchange can lower mortality and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease, and 2) if the use of lower doses of corticosteroids can lessen the infectious complications of treatment. This trial is part of a major international effort which will involve a total of 500 patients from Australia, UK, Europe, USA and NZ.
Canadian-Australasian Randomised Trial Of Screening Kidney Transplant Recipients For Coronary Artery Disease (CARSK Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,223,933.00
Summary
Patients waitlisted for kidney transplantation are at increased risk of heart attack and routinely undergo tests every year to screen for heart disease. This may lead to excessive tests, inconvenience, cost and missed opportunities for transplantation. This randomised trial will determine whether such testing is necessary and what it costs to patients and the health system. The results will have implications for tens of thousands of patients worldwide.
Distinct Pathogenic Roles For JNK Signalling In Glomerular And Interstitial Injury In Kidney Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,892.00
Summary
Our studies have identified a stress-activated mechanism (the JNK signalling pathway) as a therapeutic target in the treatment of kidney disease. The current project will define the role of JNK signaling in individual cell types in the development of different types of kidney disease. These studies will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of kidney disease, and will be highly relevant to other diseases, including atherosclerosis, lung fibrosis and arthritis.