Healio: Biomarker may predict CKD progression in children

By Melissa J. Webb

Higher levels of a circulating biomarker were associated with shorter time to kidney replacement therapy and lowering of eGFR in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease, according to study results.

“I think it is remarkable that we have confirmed findings from recent adult studies demonstrating that [soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor] suPAR is a new potential biomarker for kidney progression in children,” Darcy K. Weidemann, MD, MHS, a pediatric nephrologist at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, told Healio Nephrology. “It is notable that the results are confirmed in a pediatric study, where the etiology of CKD is different from that of adults.”

Weidemann emphasized the lack of modifiable risk factors which can delay CKD progression as a point of concern, arguing that what physicians currently offer to patients is “limited” (mostly consisting of, she said, aggressive blood pressure and proteinuria control).

“We desperately need additional biomarkers to predict which patients are at most risk for progression so we can potentially intervene on these patients sooner, as well as adequately prepare our patients and their families for the prognosis of a potentially grave, life-long chronic illness,” she added. “Our ultimate goal would be to find molecular targets upon which we can design targeted drug therapy to halt the progression of CKD.”

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