A few years ago I had the opportunity to co-chair a panel charged with writing clinical practice guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The revelation to our group as we proceeded with this work was that, after an in-depth review of literally thousands of papers, there were only a handful of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which included patients with renal disease. Worse, specific medical problems which occur in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or ESRD have been studied in just 3 or 4 RCTs, and several of these are very small.
Nephrology is behind other medical disciplines in this category, and the reasons are several. First, until recently, the number of patients with advanced kidney disease was thought to be small. Second, emerging evidence from many sources has only recently been summarized to show the significant burden of CVD to this population. Third, RCTs are invariably expensive, often costing $15 — 20 million for even the most modest projects. In the context of the current funding climate at NIH, the prospects for undertaking this kind of large investment in clinical research (which would come at the cost of reducing the investigator-initiated research portfolio) are diminished.
There are some hopeful signs that momentum will shift in favor of performing more RCTs in nephrology patient populations. At a recently held meeting convened at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease, there was consensus around the need for such trials and good suggestions as to which areas were priorities to study. The other positive development is that there is now an increased awareness of the problem of CVD in patients with CKD/ESRD among cardiologists and this has led in turn to a more collaborative approach to designing studies between nephrologists and cardiologists. Moreover, increased dialogue and cooperation between specialists and leadership in the NIH and other agencies is likely to lead to additional creative funding solutions so that the future treatments for CVD in patients with kidney disease are grounded in evidence emanating from RCTs.
Sincerely yours,
William Henrich, MD, FASN
2. Membership Reminder
Renew your ASN membership today and take advantage of the great benefits the ASN has to offer:
- Printed and online subscriptions to the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), and Nephrology Self-Assessment Program (NephSAP)
- Eligibility for ASN grant funding
- Discounts on all ASN educational programs
- Ability to submit an abstract without sponsorship
- Renal Express and Renal Policy Express
- Eligibility for Fellowship of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN) status
- Free Online Job Placement Service and Membership Directory
- Voting rights for “Active” members
- AND MORE!
You may also visit the ASN website at www.asn-online.org to renew your 2007 dues.
3.
NIH Director's New Innovator Award
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award will support research by new investigators who propose highly innovative projects with the potential for exceptionally great impact on biomedical or behavioral science.
NIH expects to make at least 14 awards in September 2007. Each grant will be for 5 years and up to a total of $1.5 million in direct costs plus applicable facilities and administrative costs.
Women and members of groups that are underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research are especially encouraged to apply.
Open to New Investigators Who
--Have not yet obtained an NIH R01 or similar grant
--Hold an independent research position at an institution in the United States
--Received a doctoral degree or completed medical internship and residency in 1997 or later
--Propose research in any scientific area relevant to the NIH mission
Apply Electronically
--Get instructions here
--Prepare the short application; preliminary data allowed, but not required
--Submit the application through Grants.gov between April 25 and May 22, 2007
More Information
--Click here for more information
--E-mail questions to newinnovator@nih.gov or call 301-594-4469
4. Call for Abstracts for Renal Week 2007
The deadline to submit all abstracts for Renal Week 2006 is Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Once again, abstracts will only be accepted through our Abstracts Submission site, accessible through our website at www.asn-online.org. Abstracts received after June 6 will not be accepted or reviewed. No exceptions will be made. Abstracts must be submitted or sponsored by an active ASN member (dues paid through 2007, by Friday, May 26, 2007). Stay tuned to your mail and email boxes soon for an announcement that the site is open.
5. 12th Annual Board Review Course and Update
Join the ASN August 25-31st, 2007 at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The ASN's Board Review Course & Update has become a "Renal Rite of Passage" AND CAN BE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS! An intensive review and update for ALL and a MUST for Certification & Re-Certification. The timing of the ASN Board Review Course & Update in late August maximizes attendees' readiness for the October Nephrology Board certification and recertification examinations of the American Board of Internal Medicine. After completion of the course and the self-assessment test on September 1, participants have a full two months to fill in any gaps in their knowledge. It's August, It's San Francisco, So it must be the ASN's Board Review Course! Stay tuned to your mail and email boxes later this spring for additional information and registration forms.
6. International Nephrology Meeting
The 10th International Developmental Nephrology Workshop will be held in Pécs, Hungary on August 28-30, 2007. The theme of this meeting is Molecular Networks: Programming Normal Renal Development and Modeling Disease Pathogenesis. The program includes 3 internationally renowned investigators who will give state-of-the-art plenary talks as well as a slate of outstanding scientists who will present their work in 6 theme-based symposia:
- Stem cell renewal and differentiation
- Patterning I: nephrogenesis
- Patterning II: the kidney and the GU system
- Molecular networks: epithelial differentiation
- Molecular defects that disrupt renal architecture
- Fetal programming and the origins of adult disease
Details about the scientific program, the social program, as well as registration information are available at their website (www.pcongress.hu). Travel awards are available on a competitive basis. The deadline for abstract submission is April 15, 2007.
We encourage you to attend what promises to be an outstanding scientific meeting, set in this historical and cultural jewel of Hungary.
