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Gene Linked to Pediatric Kidney Cancer May Be Key to Kidney Regeneration

Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital have made several important discoveries about the gene Lin28 and its link to Wilms tumor, a pediatric renal cancer marked by growths that appear similar to immature kidneys. Experts believe the tumors are caused by unchecked kidney development, which would normally be complete before birth. Lin28 is important to the development … Continue reading Gene Linked to Pediatric Kidney Cancer May Be Key to Kidney Regeneration

Scientists Develop Personalized 3D Printed Kidney to Simulate Cancer Surgery

Using 3D imaging and printing technology, surgeons from Kobe University in Japan have created scale replicas of patients’ kidneys to help prepare them for difficult kidney cancer surgeries. The transparent models allow doctors to see the location of tumors as well as blood vessels within the kidney. When the actual robotic surgeries are performed later, surgeons … Continue reading Scientists Develop Personalized 3D Printed Kidney to Simulate Cancer Surgery

Cutting Phosphate Early in CKD Reduces Deaths, Heart Problems

Cutting out dietary phosphorus and phosphate additives is crucial for dialysis patients, but now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have found that stringent phosphate restriction could reduce the risk of heart problems and death for patients with early chronic kidney disease. Their study in rats showed that severe phosphate restriction reversed vascular calcification … Continue reading Cutting Phosphate Early in CKD Reduces Deaths, Heart Problems

Abatacept May Help Prevent Kidney Disease Caused by Diabetes

A team of researchers led by Paolo Fiorina, M.D., Ph.D. of Boston Children’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School has found that abatacept may help prevent kidney disease caused by diabetes. The autoimmune drug, which works by targeting a receptor called B7-1, is prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and is also being used in clinical trials for … Continue reading Abatacept May Help Prevent Kidney Disease Caused by Diabetes

Researchers Discover How Hypoxia Drives Kidney Cancer Progression

A team of international researchers from University of Chicago Medical Center and Beijing has uncovered how hypoxia, or the shortage of oxygen, causes a vicious cycle that promotes kidney cancer progression. Hypoxia occurs when kidney cancer cells proliferate so quickly that they outgrow their blood supply. The scientists discovered that this causes over expression of … Continue reading Researchers Discover How Hypoxia Drives Kidney Cancer Progression

Fighting Kidney Failure with the Overlooked Omentum

A team of researchers from John Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County has discovered that the omentum, an often-overlooked organ and abundant source of stem cells, may be used to heal ailing kidneys. The omentum is a large fold of the peritoneum, made of fatty tissue that hangs from the stomach like an apron, covering … Continue reading Fighting Kidney Failure with the Overlooked Omentum