Letter from The Editor
Dr Rachel Giles
“The pace of innovation in nephrology continues to accelerate. ERA 2026 presented important new data that will help shape future clinical practice across a range of kidney diseases.”
IgA Nephropathy
ALIGN: Atrasentan preserves kidney function with long-term treatment in IgA nephropathy
Prof. Hiddo J.L. Heerspink, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Compared with placebo, atrasentan modestly slowed the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after 2.5 years of treatment in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, although it was associated with an increased risk of anaemia and fluid retention.
IgA Nephropathy
APPLAUSE-IgAN: Slower kidney function decline with iptacopan in IgA nephropathy
Prof. Jonathan Barratt, University of Leicester, UK
Iptacopan, compared with placebo, slowed the decline in kidney function over 24 months of treatment in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy while demonstrating an acceptable safety profile, according to final clinical trial data reported by Prof. Jonathan Barratt (University of Leicester, UK).
IgA Nephropathy
VISIONARY interim results show slowing of eGFR decline with sibeprenlimab in IgA nephropathy
Prof. Vlado Perkovic, University of New South Wales, Australia
Compared with placebo, sibeprenlimab slowed the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with biopsy-confirmed immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, according to preliminary data reported by Prof. Vlado Perkovic (University of New South Wales, Australia).
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Finerenone is a treatment option in non-diabetic kidney disease
Prof. David Cherney, University of Toronto, Canada and Prof. Hiddo J.L. Heerspink,University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Compared with placebo, finerenone slowed the decline of the annualised estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) while increasing rates of hyperkalaemia in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to results reported by Prof. David Cherney (University of Toronto, Canada) and Prof. Hiddo J.L. Heerspink (University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Finerenone slows eGFR decline in patients with CKD due to glomerular disease
Prof. Brendon Neuen, The George Institute for Global Health, Australia
Compared with placebo, finerenone slowed the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to glomerular disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Nurandociguat shows preliminary efficacy in patients with CKD
Prof. Christoph Wanner, University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
Nurandociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, significantly improved urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) after 16 weeks of treatment compared with placebo, while increasing the incidence of hypotension and syncope.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Rivaroxaban should not be recommended for cardiovascular prevention in patients with advanced CKD
Prof. Sunil Badve, University of New South Wales, Australia
Low-dose rivaroxaban did not improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with placebo, but was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding events.
Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS)
COMMUTE-p: Positive results with crovalimab in paediatric aHUS
Dr Maria Helena Vaisbich, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Crovalimab led to high response rates in paediatric patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS), while being associated with some infectious events.
Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS)
COMMUTE-a: Additional positive results with crovalimab in adolescents and adults with aHUS
Dr Bradley Dixon, University of Colorado Anschutz, CO, USA
Crovalimab led to high response rates in adolescents and adults with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS), while being associated with some serious infections, according to data reported by Dr Bradley Dixon (University of Colorado Anschutz, CO, USA).
Other
FLOW: Semaglutide improves quality of life in type 2 diabetes
Prof. Johannes Mann, Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany
Compared with placebo, semaglutide significantly improved multiple quality-of-life measures in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to data presented by Prof. Johannes Mann (Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany).
Other
Rituximab effectively prolongs steroid-induced remission of nephrotic syndrome: TURING
Dr Lisa Willcocks, Cambridge University Hospital, UK and Prof. Megan Griffith, Imperial College London, UK
Compared with placebo, rituximab prolonged remission by more than 2 years in patients with nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis who responded to steroid treatment, according to clinical trial data reported by Dr Lisa Willcocks (Cambridge University Hospital, UK) and Prof. Megan Griffith (Imperial College London, UK).
Other
MAJESTY: Obinutuzumab can offer remission in membranous nephropathy
Prof. Fernando Custodio Fervenza, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA
Compared to tacrolimus, obinutuzumab improved rates of complete and partial remission in patients with primary membranous nephropathy, while demonstrating comparable infection rates between the 2 treatment regimens.
