Future of Alport Syndrome

Finally, the good news is that there are excellent animal models of Alport Syndrome in mice and dogs. These models are being used in studies of the mechanisms of kidney damage in Alport Syndrome and to test potential therapies.

Also some very exciting news is coming from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. They are developing an Alport Syndrome Treatment and Outcomes Registry (ASTOR) under the direction of Dr. Clifford E. Kashtan to facilitate clinical trials for the treatment of  Alport Syndrome. The registry will be the first of its kind in North America. Potential drug therapies that might delay or prevent the development of kidney failure exist, but need to be evaluated through clinical trials. Conducting clinical trials for proposed treatments for Alport Syndrome present many challenges. Because Alport Syndrome is not a common disease, informative clinical trials will require the collaboration of investigators at multiple centers. See AS in the News for links and more information.

Lastly, emerging research focusing on stem cells gives reason to hope that medical researchers will eventually identify ways to delay and/or prevent kidney failure in people with Alport Syndrome. Please see Research and Clinical Trials under the Links section of this web site to find out more.