Disease Research Areas

Chronic kidney disease (CKD or CRD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition without noticeable symptoms, where kidney function gradually deteriorates over many years. Patients with hypertension and diabetes are at higher risk of developing hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Glomerulonephritis is also one of the causes of CKD.

CKD is diagnosed by an increase in blood creatinine levels when the condition has progressed. This indicates a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys, meaning that the kidneys are no longer able to properly excrete waste products.

CKD is classified into 5 stages according to its severity.

Currently, the standard treatment for CKD patients is ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors) and ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers), but the disease may still progress despite these treatments. Stage 5 is called end-stage renal failure, and expensive dialysis treatments or kidney transplantations are the best treatment options.

Regardless of the cause, CKD is characterized by the progression of renal fibrosis, which is the excessive accumulation of collagen. This manifests as glomerular sclerosis or tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Scientific research has revealed that the TGF-βsignaling pathway is involved in the renal fibrosis process.

Our group’s ETUARY® (Chinese: 艾思瑞) and F351 are both inhibitors of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Their effectiveness against pulmonary, hepatic, and renal fibrosis has been confirmed in various animal experiments, representing a new potential therapeutic approach for CKD treatment.