The Kidney Care Revolution: How New Therapies and Collaborative Action Will Define the Next Decade
A staggering 850 million people worldwide are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) – a number poised to rise dramatically without proactive intervention. But a wave of innovation is building in nephrology, offering unprecedented hope. At ASN Kidney Week 2025, American Society of Nephrology (ASN) President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN, delivered a compelling message: the momentum is real, but capitalizing on it requires a unified effort from every member of the kidney community.
A Surge of New Therapies: From Glomerular Diseases to Xenotransplantation
For years, treatment options for many kidney diseases were limited. Now, the landscape is shifting rapidly. Roy-Chaudhury highlighted a remarkable influx of new therapies, including 10 potential treatments for immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, five for cardio-kidney-metabolic diseases, four for lupus nephritis, and even two for the rare C3 glomerulopathy. This isn’t just incremental progress; it’s a paradigm shift. These advancements aren’t simply about treating symptoms; they’re about potentially halting or even reversing disease progression.
The Challenge of Combination Therapies and Precision Medicine
However, this abundance of options presents new complexities. The future of kidney care won’t be about choosing one therapy, but rather intelligently combining them. “We are faced with a new set of challenges around how to use these therapies,” Roy-Chaudhury explained. Precision medicine – tailoring treatment to an individual’s genetic makeup and disease characteristics – will be crucial. Researchers are already exploring biomarkers to predict treatment response and minimize adverse effects. This move towards personalized care promises to maximize efficacy and improve patient outcomes.
Beyond Treatment: Addressing Global Inequities and Funding Gaps
Innovation alone isn’t enough. Significant hurdles remain in ensuring equitable access to care. Kidney disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, and access to life-saving treatments like dialysis and kidney transplantation is often limited by cost and geography. The availability of generic versions of drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors – proven to slow CKD progression – offers a potential solution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
But even affordable medications require robust research and development. Roy-Chaudhury emphasized the critical need for increased funding for kidney disease research. The ASN is advocating for a $1.8 billion investment over the next decade through the Transforming Kidney Health Research Report, and is supplementing this with $6 million in bridge grants to support researchers. Demonstrating the value of nephrology to healthcare systems and insurers is paramount to securing this vital funding.
The Call to Action: A Collaborative Future for Nephrology
Roy-Chaudhury’s message was clear: everyone has a role to play. Clinicians in community practice are urged to actively participate in care delivery pathways and enroll patients in clinical trials. Researchers are encouraged to translate their discoveries into tangible treatments. And for the next generation of nephrologists – the fellows and young specialists – now is the time to engage and shape the future of the field. This isn’t just about individual contributions; it’s about building a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates innovation and improves patient lives.
The convergence of groundbreaking therapies, a renewed focus on research, and a commitment to equitable access positions nephrology at a pivotal moment. The next decade promises to be a period of unprecedented progress, but realizing this potential requires a collective, unwavering dedication to advancing kidney health for all. What steps will you take to contribute to this revolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
