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Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network

Membranous Nephropathy | Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental | Minimal Change Disease (MCD)

Minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and Membranous nephropathy (MN), generate an enormous individual and societal financial burden, accounting for approximately 12% of prevalent end stage renal disease (ESRD) cases (2005) at an annual cost in the US of more than $3 billion. However, the clinical classification of these diseases is widely believed to be inadequate by the scientific community. Given the poor understanding of MCD/FSGS and MN biology, it is not surprising that the available therapies are imperfect. The therapies lack a clear biological basis, and as many families have experienced, they are often not beneficial, and in fact may be significantly toxic. Given these observations, it is essential that research be conducted that address these serious obstacles to effectively caring for patients.

In response to a request for applications by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Rare Diseases (NIH, ORD) for the creation of Rare Disease Clinical Research Consortia, a number of affiliated universities joined together with The NephCure Foundation the NIDDK, the ORDR, and the University of Michigan in collaboration towards the establishment of a Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) Rare Diseases Clinical Research Consortium.

Through this consortium the investigators hope to understand the fundamental biology of these rare diseases and aim to bank long-term observational data and corresponding biological specimens for researchers to access and further enrich.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL
  • Eligible Ages:

    0 to 80

Participation Criteria

Cohort A (biopsy cohort) Inclusion Criteria:

Patients presenting with an incipient clinical diagnosis for FSGS/MCD or MN or pediatric participants not previously biopsied, with a clinical diagnosis for FSGS/MCD or MN meeting the following inclusion criteria:

* Documented urinary protein excretion ≥1500 mg/24 hours or spot protein: creatinine ratio equivalent at the time of diagnosis or within 3 months of the screening/eligibility visit.
* Scheduled renal biopsy

Cohort B (non-biopsy, cNEPTUNE) Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \<19 years of age
* Initial presentation with \<30 days immunosuppression therapy
* Proteinuria/nephrotic

* UA\>2+ and edema OR
* UA\>2+ and serum albumin \<3 OR
* UPC \> 2g/g and serum albumin \<3

Exclusion Criteria (Cohort A\&B):

* Prior solid organ transplant
* A clinical diagnosis of glomerulopathy without diagnostic renal biopsy
* Clinical, serological or histological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as defined by the ARA criteria. Patients with membranous in combination with SLE will be excluded because this entity is well defined within the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society categories of lupus nephritis, and frequently overlaps with other classification categories of SLE nephritis (68)
* Clinical or histological evidence of other renal diseases (Alport, Nail Patella, Diabetic Nephropathy, IgA-nephritis, monoclonal gammopathy (multiple myelomas), genito-urinary malformations with vesico-urethral reflux or renal dysplasia)
* Known systemic disease diagnosis at time of enrollment with a life expectancy less than 6 months
* Unwillingness or inability to give a comprehensive informed consent
* Unwillingness to comply with study procedures and visit schedule
* Institutionalized individuals (e.g., prisoners)

Study Location

Credit Valley Hospital
Credit Valley Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Martin Romano, MD

[email protected]
416-340-3514
Scarborough Hospital
Scarborough Hospital
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Sunnybrook Hospital
Sunnybrook Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Rhea O'Neill

[email protected]
York Central Hospital
York Central Hospital
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

University Health Network
University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Contact Study Team

Backup Contact

Martin Romano, MD

[email protected]
Primary Contact

Paul Ling, MD

[email protected]
416-340-3514
Study Sponsored By
University of Michigan
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT01209000