Research

ISN Journal summaries: effect of pravastatin on ADPKD and 10 years of Kidney International Reports®   

Kidney International®   A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of pravastatin on kidney disease outcomes in adult patients with early-stage autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease  This randomized, double-blind trial evaluated whether pravastatin could slow disease progression in adults with early autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and preserved kidney function.   Researchers followed 150 participants receiving pravastatin or a placebo...

February 23, 2026Journals, ResearchRead more...

Taking the unknown out of CKDu: Read the new report from ISN i3C in Kidney International® 

After two decades of research, the causes of chronic kidney disease of undetermined etiology (CKDu) remain elusive. A new report from the ISN International Consortium of CKDu Collaborators (ISN i3C), published in Kidney International® (KI), suggests the challenge lies not only in what is unknown but also in how CKDu has been studied to date.  Read the full report in KI  The authors point to inconsistent terminology,...

February 9, 2026News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on pediatric CKD outcomes and homelessness as a social determinant of kidney health 

Kidney International®   Establishing a core outcome measure for life participation in children with chronic kidney disease: A Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology—children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (SONG-Kids) consensus workshop report  Life participation is a priority for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet it is rarely measured consistently in pediatric CKD trials.  Through international consensus workshops involving patients,...

February 9, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

Bridging global kidney care gaps through data: KI presents ISN-GKHA Interactive Map   

A recent Kidney International® editorial showcases the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) Interactive Map, an open-access tool that enables clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to identify gaps and target areas where kidney care improvements are most needed.  Read the full paper in Kidney International®  Consolidating data from the 2019 and 2023 ISN-GKHA surveys, the map:  Compares kidney care capacity between countries and regions  Tracks trends and measures progress over time  Visualizes key indicators like workforce, infrastructure, and policies  Provides evidence to guide research, advocacy, and policy initiatives  Explore...

January 26, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

“Stay on top of the evidence base” — Adeera Levin on WCN’26 HIT sessions 

At WCN’26, the high-impact trials (HIT) and late-breaking clinical trials (LBCT) sessions will show you what matters most for patient care right now. From headline results to ongoing studies, attendees will gain insights to translate evidence into better clinical decisions.   Adeera Levin, chair of both the ISN–Advancing Clinical Trials Committee and the WCN’26 LBCT Advisory Group, explains that these sessions highlight the clinical trials most impactful to kidney care professionals, “This helps...

January 12, 2026News, Research, WCNRead more...

Research in action: How ISN committees are driving the future of kidney research — and how you can be part of it 

Across the ISN’s research groups and committees, this year has been defined by one theme: Turning global collaboration into real-world impact. From uncovering the drivers of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) to strengthening renal registries and shaping the next wave of clinical trials, these groups have been steadily building momentum — work...

December 8, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

Rethinking kidney trials: The ISN’s PARADIGM roadmap moves into action 

  Kidney disease research is entering a pivotal moment. Kidney International®  published the ISN PARADIGM paper, “Changing paradigms of studies in kidney diseases,” outlining a global roadmap to modernize how kidney trials are designed and conducted — with patients, equity, and real-world relevance at the center.   Read the article  What the PARADIGM paper delivers  The article is based...

December 8, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on felzartamab for IgA nephropathy and a new anti-podocin ELISA  

Kidney International®   Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a study assessing the efficacy and safety of felzartamab for IgA nephropathy  A phase 2a trial tested felzartamab, an anti-CD38 antibody, in 54 patients with IgA nephropathy. Patients received different doses of felzartamab or placebo over six months.   Felzartamab reduced protein in the urine, with the strongest and longest-lasting effect seen...

October 27, 2025Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on the DIALIZE-Outcomes trial and heat stress nephropathy in CKDu hotspots in India 

Kidney International®   The randomized DIALIZE-Outcomes trial evaluated sodium zirconium cyclosilicate in hemodialysis  People on hemodialysis often face dangerous swings in blood potassium that can trigger sudden death or heart rhythm problems.   The DIALIZE-Outcomes trial tested whether the potassium binder sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) could reduce serious cardiovascular events compared with placebo in 2,690 patients with kidney failure.  The...

October 13, 2025Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

CONFIDENCE trial: Dual therapy shows promise for CKD and diabetes  

ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus (GTF) editorial team member Michele Provenzano summarizes the design and outcomes of the latest “Trial of the month” featured in ISN-ACT GTF.  Trial of the month:  Stronger together: Finerenone & empagliflozin boost kidney outcomes in diabetes  Finerenone with empagliflozin in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes  Agarwal R, et al., N Engl J...

September 15, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

Building momentum in CKDu research: Global experts share progress and insights 

The mystery of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) continues to puzzle researchers, but efforts to solve it are gaining ground. The i3C Network is steadily expanding, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and public health experts with one shared goal: to uncover the causes behind CKDu and protect vulnerable populations.  In July, over 40 experts...

September 1, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

From data to impact: What is it like to be part of ISN research initiatives? 

From global policy tools to community-driven projects and early-career development, ISN's research initiatives offer meaningful opportunities for all professionals committed to advancing kidney care. Whether you're just starting out or looking to broaden your impact, you can grow, collaborate, and drive real impact through ISN-supported research activities. We invited several contributors to share what...

July 28, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

Explore the latest ISN Global Trials Focus selections featuring a “Trial of the month” on the effect of dapagliflozin in patients with ADPKD receiving tolvaptan

ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus editorial team member Michele Provenzano summarizes the design and outcomes of the latest "Trial of the month" featured in ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus. Trial of the month: DAPA-tolvaptan: First trial of SGLT2 inhibition in ADPKD with background tolvaptan therapy Open-label, randomized, controlled, crossover trial on the effect of dapagliflozin in patients with ADPKD receiving tolvaptan Uchiyama...

June 30, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

What does the ISN-GKHA tell us about global dialysis trends?  

Why do millions of people worldwide still face limited access to dialysis despite advances in kidney care?  This urgent question was at the heart of the recent ISN-GKHA webinar: “Global variations in hemodialysis access and outcomes – insights for improving kidney care worldwide,” based on two extensive global studies informed by 2023 ISN-Global Kidney Health...

June 16, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on making CKD research accessible to patients and pregnancy outcomes in kidney transplant recipients 

Kidney International®  Identifying strategies for disseminating research to patients with chronic kidney disease and caregivers: a workshop report   Research on chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often inaccessible to patients and caregivers, limiting its influence on care and decision-making.   A workshop involving patients, caregivers, and health professionals identified three key strategies to improve dissemination: making research engaging and...

June 16, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

How the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas is growing a global community for optimal kidney care

Through robust data collection, international collaboration, and practical insights, the 2023 ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) continues to drive progress in kidney care worldwide. This essential resource maps the availability and quality of kidney health services globally, helping kidney care professionals shape policy, support advocacy, guide research priorities, and identify service gaps, all toward...

May 26, 2025News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on CONVINCE trial findings and kidney transplantation in Iran 

Kidney International®  A health economic evaluation of the multinational, randomized controlled CONVINCE trial: cost-utility of high-dose online hemodiafiltration compared to high-flux hemodialysis  Patients with kidney failure often receive either high-flux hemodialysis (HD) or high-dose hemodiafiltration (HDF). Previous research shows HDF may lower the risk of death compared to HD.   This study looked at whether the potential health...

April 28, 2025Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

KIR publishes on findings from the ISN Western Europe Regional Board survey on preferred meeting formats 

Kidney International Reports® (KIR) has published as an article-in-press the results of a survey conducted by the ISN Western Europe Regional Board on preferred scientific meeting formats— in-person, virtual, or hybrid.   Explore the survey findings in KIR   “Nephrology health professionals' perspectives on their preferred modality for scientific meetings, balancing affordability, sustainability and opportunities to interact...

April 7, 2025Journals, News, Regional Activities, ResearchRead more...

ISN-GKHA 2023 findings feature in PLOS Global Public Health roundtable 

PLOS Global Public Health recently hosted a roundtable with the lead authors of ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) articles they published earlier this year.  The authors highlight key insights from their research, which examined disparities in the availability, affordability, quality, and access to kidney care services across countries categorized by World Bank income group classifications.   Watch...

April 7, 2025News, ResearchRead more...