Research

ISN Journal summaries on conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and Taiwan’s living kidney donation policy 

Kidney International®   Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy–associated nephrotoxicity: consensus report of the 34th Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) Workgroup  Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy remains essential in cancer care, but can cause acute and chronic kidney injury.   The 34th ADQI Workgroup reviewed the epidemiology, mechanisms, risk factors, clinical manifestations, prevention, and management of nephrotoxicity linked to commonly used agents.   The resulting consensus report emphasizes clinician awareness,...

June 8, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

Reflecting on progress and looking ahead: 10 years of the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas 

As you continue to use ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) data in your work or look to better understand the global kidney health landscape, listen to an ISN Roundtable marking the ISN-GKHA’s 10th anniversary that offers valuable insights into one of the nephrology community’s most influential resources.  Access the ISN-GKHA 2027: 10-Year Round-Up Roundtable video  In the discussion, leaders behind the ISN-GKHA reflect on the atlas’ evolution and its worldwide impact. David Johnson...

June 8, 2026News, ResearchRead more...

Redesigning kidney trials for improved evidence and patient care  

“If a drug improves creatinine but makes a patient too fatigued to work, that’s a safety signal we might be missing.”  How can nephrology translate recent advances in research into better outcomes for people with kidney diseases?  In the second episode of the ISN PARADIGM in Clinical Trials podcast series, drawing on insights from the Consensus Meeting on Changing Paradigms...

June 8, 2026Education, News, ResearchRead more...

10 years of Kidney International Reports®: transforming how kidney science is shared 

“We are truly a global journal: We do not just select [from] one area that has resources ... authors can submit their papers from whatever region they’re from.” Jai Radhakrishnan  As Kidney International Reports® (KIR) marks its 10th anniversary, a WCN'26 Kidney Studio interview with Editor-in-Chief Jai Radhakrishnan reflects on how a bold early commitment to open access and a dedication to...

June 8, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

Why do we still know so little about CKDu? Listen to the latest Global Kidney Care Podcast 

Why does chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) remain so difficult to define, study, and prevent? In this episode, experts from the ISN i3C Working Group unpack the research gaps that continue to slow progress and discuss what is needed to move the field forward.  Ben Caplin, Magdalena Madero, Eranga Wijewickrama, and Shuchi Anand* highlight gaps...

May 11, 2026Education, News, ResearchRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on B cell-targeting immunotherapies and eGFR slope in the cardiorenal continuum

Kidney International®   Tiny warriors, big impact: targeted immunotherapy in kidney diseases  This review examines whether emerging B cell-targeting immunotherapies, particularly chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers, could improve outcomes in autoimmune kidney diseases where current treatments often fail.  It summarizes early evidence, mainly from small uncontrolled studies in systemic lupus erythematosus, suggesting these approaches may achieve deeper B-cell depletion...

May 11, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

From intravenous aminophylline to genomic testing: What did we learn from WCN’26 abstract award winners? 

The WCN’26 interviews with abstract award winners offer a snapshot of the ideas, methods, and questions shaping kidney care today. Alongside their findings, several winners noted the value of ISN Grant opportunities in supporting their research.  Masaya Muto (Japan), winner of the Young Nephrologists Best Abstract Award: Basic Science, highlighted a novel automated immunoassay designed to detect anti-nephrin autoantibodies with high sensitivity. His team’s...

May 11, 2026News, Research, WCNRead more...

Recent key kidney health studies in one place: Explore a special edition of ISN TrialWatch 

Can lower-exposure tacrolimus plus everolimus improve outcomes in older kidney transplant recipients? Could high-dose omega-3 supplementation offer a simple way to reduce cardiovascular risk in dialysis? Might a more conservative dialysis strategy actually help support kidney recovery?   Available in English and Russian, the ISN TrialWatch Special Edition offers a curated look at selected randomized kidney care trials from 2025 and early 2026.  Explore...

May 11, 2026News, ResearchRead more...

Plan stronger CKDu research with the new ISN i3C Toolkit 

What if better research approaches could help take the “unknown” out of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu)?  Launched at WCN’26, the new ISN i3C CKDu Toolkit* is designed to help build research capacity in CKDu-endemic regions by strengthening study design and implementation through consistent approaches to case definitions, exposure assessment, and outcome measurement.  Explore the ISN i3C Toolkit  It offers practical guidance to strengthen the rigor,...

April 13, 2026ISN Toolkits, News, ResearchRead more...

Explore WCN’26 late-breaking trials with NephJC and Kidney International Reports® 

NephJC has extended the conversation around WCN’26 late-breaking trials with expert commentary on selected studies presented in Yokohama, including the ASSIST trial, 24-month data from APPLAUSE-IGAN, and new analyses from the CONFIDENCE trial.  Read the commentaries  A video interview recorded onsite at WCN’26 in Yokohama features NephJC Founding Editor-in-Chief Swapnil Hiremath and Managing Editor Cristina Popa discussing selected late-breaking...

April 13, 2026Journals, News, Research, WCNRead more...

ISN Journal summaries on parathyroid hormone in CKD-related osteoporosis and kidney care fragility in Nepal 

Kidney International®   ​Uremia and parathyroid hormone have distinct effects on bone protein and gene expression  People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain at high risk of fractures despite treatment aimed at maintaining parathyroid hormone at acceptable levels.  This study examined the distinct effects of uremia and parathyroid hormone on bone in patients on hemodialysis and controls.  The authors...

April 13, 2026Journals, News, ResearchRead more...

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...