NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Moderna's mRNA technology revolutionized vaccine development, setting new standards for speed and innovation in biotech. The company's rapid COVID-19 vaccine development has inspired broader therapeutic applications and reshaped business models, emphasizing independent growth and public-private partnerships. Moderna's success has boosted investor confidence and industry agility, driving advancements in mRNA and related technologies.

SMART trial results presented at Kidney Week 2024 show semaglutide reduces UACR by -52.1% in nondiabetic CKD patients, with sustained effects post-treatment. No significant Cr-eGFR difference observed, but weight and waist circumference reduced. Study explores semaglutide's potential in kidney and cardiovascular care.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton's floodwaters pose a silent danger: mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Climate change is extending the mosquito transmission season, increasing the risk of these diseases spreading in the U.S. Despite some vaccines, many countermeasures are lacking. The U.S. government could use advance market commitments to incentivize vaccine development, mitigating the spread of these pathogens.

ASN Kidney Week 2024 will present results from high-impact phase 3 trials on hyponatremia correction, pegcetacoplan efficacy, semaglutide benefits, pain coping skills training, acellular tissue engineered vessel use, and dapagliflozin in advanced CKD.

Antibiotic prophylaxis may protect kidneys of kids with vesicoureteral reflux during febrile UTIs, as per the RIVUR trial analysis. Children not on prophylaxis showed a significant eGFR decline, while those on prophylaxis did not. This suggests UTIs affect kidney function at a microscopic level, not just macroscopically monitored by DMSA scans.

96-week ORIGIN trial data shows atacicept's potential in treating IgA nephropathy, with sustained reductions in Gd-IgA1 levels, hematuria, and UPCR, and a minimal decline in eGFR. Atacicept's weekly self-administered injection and ongoing phase 3 trials could redefine treatment outcomes.

ASN Kidney Week 2024 will present high-impact phase 3 clinical trials on hyponatremia, pegcetacoplan, semaglutide, Pain Coping Skills Training, Humacyte's ATEV, and dapagliflozin, affecting kidney care.

Newly described tertiary lymphoid structures in liver tumors after immunotherapy may significantly impact hepatocellular carcinoma treatment outcomes, with more structures correlating to lower recurrence rates. These structures, central rather than peripheral, are crucial for anti-tumor immunity and may signify long-term benefits from immunotherapy.

GLP-1 obesity drugs may protect kidneys and reduce kidney disease progression, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published in JAMA Network Open. The study, part of the Million Veteran Program, found higher GLP1R gene expression linked to lower risk of kidney disease progression, suggesting broader kidney-protective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond diabetes. Further clinical studies are needed to validate this potential across diverse patient groups.