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To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

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Kidney Week

Educational Symposium

Is It Time to Target Complement in IgAN?

October 22, 2026 | 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM

Location: TBD Room, Hyatt Regency Denver

Session Description

IgAN is the most common form of glomerulonephritis, and it often progresses to ESKD. The pathogenesis of IgAN is a multi-hit autoimmune process that begins with the production of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and the formation of Gd-IgA1 immune complexes, followed by their deposition in the mesangium and ensuing inflammation. These immune complexes activate the complement pathways, resulting in further inflammation. Mesangial complement accumulation is often present alongside IgA in kidney biopsy specimens. Recent studies have targeted the production of Gd-IgA1 by B cells and plasma cells, resulting in improved kidney function. Anticomplement drugs targeting the alternative complement pathway reduce glomerular inflammation and improve kidney function. These anticomplement drugs also have beneficial effects in other kidney diseases, such as C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN). This symposium focuses on the role of the complement pathway in the pathogenesis of IgAN and on how to most effectively integrate anticomplement drugs into the therapeutic approach to IgAN.

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to fully paid Annual Meeting participants. Doors open approximately 15 minutes prior to each symposium. When a room reaches capacity, ASN will shut down access to the room. No other participants will be allowed to enter the room, regardless of the number of participants who exit the room during the activity.

Support is provided by educational grants from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Learning Objective(s)

  • Analyze biopsy findings with an emphasis on complement deposition
  • Describe the pathogenesis of IgAN, including the complement pathways involved, and explain how complement interplays with the multi-hit hypothesis of IgAN
  • Explain how to integrate anticomplement drugs into the treatment approach for IgAN

Learning Pathway(s)

  • Glomerular Diseases
  • Pathology

Moderator

Presentations