Alex Hillenbrand

KDIGO Launches Focused Update to 2024 CKD Guideline on Emerging Therapies

Phase 3 RAINIER exhibits positive results for povetacicept in adults with IgA Nephropathy in a 36 week interim analysis.

The nephrology field continued to see advances in February 2026, with 5 headlines clincians may have missed.

In February 2026, rusfertide garnered priority review, ASH published new guidelines, and luspatercept mets its primary endpoint in a phase 2a trial.

The FDA granted Priority Review and accepted a New Drug Application for rusfertide to treat adults with polycythemia vera.

Luspatercept met primary endpoints in transfusion-dependent and non–transfusion-dependent alpha-thalassemia.

Experts in nephrology explain the benefits of kidney transplantation, the evolving immunosuppression landscape, and evaluate the risk factors for donors.

MAJESTY, a phase 3 study evaluating obinutuzumab in primary membranous nephropathy, demonstrates positive efficacy and safety.

The FDA denied accelerated approval for bitopertin, citing a need for evidence on clinical benefit from the ongoing phase 3 APOLLO trial.

The American Society of Hematology released new 2026 Guidelines for Management of Relapsed/Refractory ALL in AYAs, discussing immunotherapy and personalized decision making.

Upstream Bio announced positive topline results from the phase 2 VALIANT trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of verekitug in adults with severe asthma.

January 2026 Hematology Month in Review highlights new ASH and KDIGO guidelines, FDA approvals, and pipeline progress in rare blood disorders.

TACITO phase 2a suggests an improvement in clinical outcomes for patients with mRCC with fecal microbiota transplantation

FDA decisions, KDIGO guidelines, and federal nutrition updates redefine kidney care in January 2026

ASH’s multidisciplinary panel provides a standardized diagnostic pathway emphasizing early laboratory testing and surrogate biopsies.

In a 31-center phase 2 trial in 10 countries, apecotrep BI 764198 reduced proteinuria in patients with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Post hoc MODIFY data showed no significant eGFR or UACR benefit with lucerastat, though exploratory signals appeared in patients with baseline renal impairment.

In children with CKD and iron deficiency anemia, iron polymaltose complex improved hemoglobin and TSAT, while liposomal iron was better tolerated.

A population-based analysis suggests age and sex specific eGFR percentiles and a web-based calculator can identify CKD risk before diagnostic thresholds.

New sequence analysis suggests racial and ethnic disparities in KRT are pronounced in younger adults, affecting mortality, transplantation, and dialysis modality use.

The Mortality Estimation in Renal Disease (MERD) score may help identify transplant candidates at highest risk of waitlist mortality.

A retrospective analysis does not link gentamicin with decreased risks of urinary tract infections after kidney transplantation.

Global analysis links elevated BMI and low physical activity to rising hypertension-related chronic kidney disease burden, with deaths projected to increase through 2050.

The FDA has extended its review of the sNDA, delaying the previous January 13, 2026, PDUFA date, to April 13, 2026.

A new national database study suggests malnutrition reverses the obesity survival benefit in hospitalized ESKD patients undergoing dialysis

In a multicenter analysis, ZEBRA, an AI-assisted pathology tool, showed high sensitivity and specificity for detecting Fabry nephropathy in renal biopsies.

A retrospective analysis links low pretransplant exercise tolerance with reduced skeletal muscle recovery and persistent sarcopenia risk after living donor kidney transplantation in CKD.

A prospective study reports an association between diabetes mellitus and anuria with high post-void residual post-transplantation.

According to new research, investigators project a rising chronic kidney disease burden in young adults and a declining incidence in children by 2050.

A retrospective cohort analysis reports data on a two-sided relationship between depression diagnosis and chronic kidney disease progression.