ISN TrialWatch: A global library of kidney-related clinical trials

The ISN TrialWatch (formerly GTF – Global Trials Focus) is a bimonthly list identifying and summarizing recent interesting trials relevant to kidney disease.

ISN TrialWatch | Oct – Nov – Dec 2025

IVIG Modulates Fibrosis and Stabilizes Chronic Active AMR Progression
A randomized controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin vs standard of care for the treatment of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is the primary cause of kidney allograft loss beyond 5 years and currently has no evidence-based long-term therapy.
Trial of the month:

ISN TrialWatch | Aug – Sept 2025

Spironolactone did not ACHIEVE cardiovascular risk reduction in dialysis
Spironolactone versus placebo in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis (ACHIEVE): an international,The ACHIEVE trial randomized 2,538 hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients who tolerated a 4-week spironolactone run-in (25 mg daily) to spironolactone versus placebo, with a median follow-up of 1.8 years. Approximately 63% of participants were male, 43% had diabetic kidney disease, and the mean age was 62 years.
Trial of the month:

ISN TrialWatch | June – July 2025

Stronger Together: Finerenone & Empagliflozin Boost Kidney Outcomes in Diabetes
Finerenone with Empagliflozin in Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes The CONFIDENCE trial was a double-blind, randomized study enrolling 800 participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR 30–90 ml/min/1.73 m²), albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR] 100– 5000 mg/g), and type 2 diabetes, all of whom were receiving renin–angiotensin system inhibitors. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to...
Trial of the month:

ISN TrialWatch | Apr – May 2025

DAPA-Tolvaptan: First trial of SGLT2 inhibition in ADPKD with background tolvaptan therapy
In this open-label, crossover trial, 27 autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) participants on stable high-dose tolvaptan (>60mg/day, >3 months, with eGFR >25 ml/min/1.73 m2) were randomized to receive dapagliflozin 10mg daily or usual care for 6-months, then crossed to the alternate arm for another 6 months, without a washout period.
Trial of the month:

ISN TrialWatch | Feb – Mar 2025

Remote monitoring for automated PD improves cardiovascular outcomes
A device integrated into the automated PD cycler facilitates remote monitoring (RM) of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), enabling medical staff to track essential PD parameters. This multicentre, clusterrandomized, open-label trial included 403 patients in the RM-APD group and 398 patients in the conventional treatment group.
Trial of the month:

ISN TrialWatch | Dec – Jan 2025

Enhancing quality of life: role of targeted exercises for children on hemodialysis
In this single-center study, 68 children on maintenance hemodialysis were randomized to receive either a 40-minute thrice weekly exercise program during hemodialysis for 2 months or routine care. A trained physical therapy researcher taught the exercises, including lower limb stretches (10 repetitions per muscle) during the first 20 minutes of the second hour of dialysis,
Trial of the month:

Global Kidney Trials Insights: A Guide for Everyone

To bring research closer to people living with kidney disease, ISN TrialWatch reviewers prepare special editions written in accessible language. These summaries help all readers, no matter their degree of scientific knowledge, understand key findings from impactful kidney trials.

Available summaries

ISN Global Kidney Care podcast: Spotlight on ISN-ACT

Hear insights into advancing global clinical trials from Michele Provenzano and Daniel O’Hara. The coordinators of the ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus shared their thoughts with ISN-ACT chair Meg Jardine and deputy chair Adeera Levin.

Listen to the episode

ISN Academy resources

Access a wide range of educational materials on clinical trials — including expert-led curriculum, webinar recordings, and WCN course sessions — all designed to support your learning and practice.

Explore the ISN Academy

#NephTrials (X Space discussions)

Join animated one-hour discussions on X, where ISN and #NephJC invite trial experts to share insights from their latest work. Engage directly, ask questions, and even request the mic to interact with principal investigators.

Discover #NephTrials

Contact the ISN Research team

Get in touch with us for inquiries, collaborations, or support at research@theisn.org.