Clinical Research Directory

An Open-Label Phase 2 Study of N-Acetyl-D-Mannosamine (ManNAc) in Subjects With Podocyte Diseases

Background: Podocyte diseases are a group of kidney conditions that include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), and membranous nephropathy (MN). In these conditions, specialized kidney cells called podocytes, which help prevent protein from leaking into the urine, are damaged. This can result in high levels of protein in the urine and, over time, worsening kidney function. In some people, the disease may progress to kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Several treatments are currently available and can be beneficial, but they may cause significant side effects and may not work well for everyone. Therefore, there is a need for safer and more effective treatments for people with these types of kidney conditions. Objective: To test a study drug (ManNAc) in people with a podocyte disease, that includes Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Minimal Change Disease (MCD), or Membranous Nephropathy (MN). Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with a podocyte disease, that includes Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Minimal Change Disease (MCD), or Membranous Nephropathy (MN). Design: Participants will have 5 to 6 clinic visits over 14 weeks. Two of the visits will require overnight stays for 2 or 3 nights. ManNAc is a white powder that comes in a sachet. It is dissolved in water and taken twice a day by mouth. Participants will take their first dose at the clinic. They will learn how to store ManNAc and prepare each dose. They will record their doses in a diary. They will also write down any adverse effects or troubles they have using the drug at home. During clinic visits, participants will have physical exams with blood and urine tests. They will complete questionnaires about their health, sleep habits, and fatigue symptoms. During overnight visits, participants will also have 24-hour urine collection. A study team member will call participants 1 week after the first dose to check on their health. Follow-up phone calls will then be every 2 weeks after each clinic visit. Participants may meet with a dietitian to discuss nutrition while taking the ManNAc. Participants may choose to have genetic tests.

MENA/Levant Epidemiological, Registry of Immunological & Clinical Traits (MERIT)

The primary objective of this multicenter observational registry is to characterize the clinical, epidemiological, and biological profiles of individuals of Middle Eastern, North African, and Levantine ancestry, including individuals with chronic medical conditions and healthy volunteers. The registry will collect standardized clinical and participant-reported data, along with biological samples, to support the investigation of disease patterns, health-related characteristics, and population-specific biological and immunological profiles in populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research. The resulting data and samples may support future research into disease-associated biomarkers and underlying biological mechanisms.

Correlation and Clinical Utility of Urinary Biomarker in Membranous Glomerulonephritis

To assess the correlation of these urinary biomarkers with the serum sample and evaluated the clinical utility of using urinary sample in the detection and prognostication of MGN. Fifty patients with newly diagnosed biopsy proven MGN would be recruited and followed up for 1 years. Serum and urinary biomarkers would be collected every 4 months and their antibody titres measured with ELISA assay.

An Open-label Study of Povetacicept in Autoantibody-Associated Glomerular Diseases

The goal of this clinical study is to evaluate multiple dose levels of povetacicept in adults with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN), primary membranous nephropathy (pMN), lupus-related kidney disease (lupus nephritis - LN), or anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) to determine if povetacicept is safe and potentially beneficial in treating these diseases. During the study treatment period, participants will receive povetacicept approximately every 4 weeks for 6 months, with the possibility of participating in a 6-month treatment extension period and an optional 52-week treatment extension period. Participants with IgAN and pMN may also receive povetacicept for an additional 52 weeks, if eligible.

Combination of Rituximab and Cyclosporine in the Treatment of Primary Membranous Nephropathy

High-grade proteinuria is one of the key determinants of adverse renal prognosis in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN).The main purpose of this study is to determine whether Rituximab combined with Cyclosporine is superior to Rituximab monotherapy in inducing remission of proteinuria in patients with PMN.

Obinutuzumab in Primary MN

Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune glomerular disease, that represents one of the most frequent causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. The first-generation chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is effective in inducing MN remission in the majority of patients, but a significant fraction of them can experience disease relapses that require multiple re-treatments over time. Repeated infusions may result in hypersensitivity reactions, which contraindicate further treatment with rituximab. Independent of previous treatment response, Rituximab-Intolerant patients require a safe and effective therapeutic alternative that could reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. On the other end a substantial proportion of patients do not benefit of rituximab therapy and might benefit of other anti CD20 monoclonal antibodies. A few patients transiently benefit of rituximab but their relapses after rituximab administration are so frequent that they spend most of their live with nephrotic range proteinuria (rituximab-dependent patients). Obinutuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody with enhanced B cell-depleting potential. Due to humanization and glycoengineering, this drug may be safe and effective in inducing disease remission even in patients with prior hypersensitivity reactions to rituximab. Moreover, it has been found to be effective in patients with membranous nephropathy who failed to respond to rituximab.

Belimumab With Rituximab for Primary Membranous Nephropathy

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of belimumab and intravenous rituximab co-administration at inducing a complete or partial remission (CR or PR) compared to rituximab alone in participants with primary membranous nephropathy. Background: Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. MN affects individuals of all ages and races. The peak incidence of MN is in the fifth decade of life. Primary MN is recognized to be an autoimmune disease, a disease where the body's own immune system causes damage to kidneys. This damage can cause the loss of too much protein in the urine. Drugs used to treat MN aim to reduce the attack by one's own immune system on the kidneys by blocking inflammation and reducing the immune system's function. These drugs can have serious side effects and often do not cure the disease. There is a need for new treatments for MN that are better at improving the disease while reducing fewer treatment associated side effects. In this study, researchers will evaluate if treatment with a combination of two different drugs, belimumab and rituximab, is effective at blocking the immune attacks on the kidney compared to rituximab alone. Rituximab works by decreasing a type of immune cell, called B cells. B cells are known to have a role in MN. Once these cells are removed, disease may become less active or even inactive. However, after stopping treatment, the body will make new B cells which may cause disease to become active again. Belimumab works by decreasing the new B cells produced by the body and, may even change the type of new B cells subsequently produced. Belimumab is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (also referred to as lupus or SLE). Rituximab is approved by the FDA to treat some types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis. Neither rituximab nor belimumab is approved by the FDA to treat MN. Treatment with a combination of belimumab and rituximab has not been studied in individuals with MN, but has been tested in other autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis and Sjögren's syndrome.

Model Development and Application Based on Renal Pathology Images

This single-center retrospective observational cohort study will utilize digital renal pathology images along with corresponding clinical and laboratory data from patients who underwent kidney biopsy at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026. Deep learning and image analysis techniques will be employed to develop and validate models for the pathological diagnosis and classification of kidney diseases. The study will also assess model performance in evaluating disease activity and chronicity, as well as investigate the association between image-derived features and long-term renal outcomes. Diagnoses will be established by consensus among three senior renal pathologists, who will serve as the reference standard. A minimum of 8,000 eligible cases are planned for inclusion, which will be divided into training, validation, and independent test sets.

A Clinical Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of GT719 Universal Cell Injection in the Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases

This study is a single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation and dose-expansion clinical trial, divided into two phases: the first phase is the dose-escalation phase, and the second phase is the dose-expansion phase. In the dose-escalation phase, approximately 9-18 adult participants with immune-mediated kidney diseases are planned to be enrolled and treated with GT719 universal cell injection. The objectives of this phase are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the product, determine the recommended dose (RD) for subsequent studies, conduct a preliminary assessment of its clinical efficacy, and investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics. Upon completion of the dose-escalation phase, after evaluation by investigators and collaborators, an appropriate dose will be selected for the dose-expansion phase. An additional 12 participants will be enrolled to fully assess the safety and efficacy of the product.

Single-cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq) to Investigate the Mechanisms Underlying the Induction of Regulatory T Cells in Patients With Extramembranous Glomerulonephritis Treated With Rituximab

Membranous nephropathy is a rare autoimmune kidney disease in which autoantibodies, most commonly anti-PLA2R1 antibodies, target podocyte antigens and may cause nephrotic syndrome. Rituximab is used in routine care to deplete B cells and reduce pathogenic autoantibodies, but its effects are not limited to B-cell depletion. Previous work suggests that rituximab may also promote regulatory T-cell (Treg) responses, and higher Treg levels after treatment have been associated with clinical remission. TRANSCRIPT is a prospective, single-center, pilot mechanistic study in 12 adult patients with active anti-PLA2R1-positive membranous nephropathy who have an indication for rituximab as part of routine care. Participants will receive rituximab according to usual clinical practice (1 g on Day 0 and 1 g on Day 15). Additional blood samples will be collected at Day 0 and Month 6 to isolate peripheral immune cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing will be used to identify transcriptional changes, signaling pathways, and intercellular communication networks associated with rituximab-induced Treg induction. In vitro assays will then test modulators of the candidate pathways identified by sequencing. The study hypothesis is that rituximab modulates immune-cell signaling and communication pathways that contribute to the induction of regulatory T cells in patients with membranous nephropathy.

Clinical Prediction Model for Disease Progression in Primary Membranous Nephropathy

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate predictors of disease progression in patients with primary membranous nephropathy and to assess the performance of a prognostic nomogram in predicting renal outcomes in the Egyptian population.

Obinutuzumab for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pure Membranous Nephropathy: a Phase II Trial

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, with important mortality and morbidity. International 2024 guidelines recommend immunosuppressive therapy (MMF, cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitors, rituximab, azathioprine) in patients with heavy or uncontrolled proteinuria, but none of these therapies has been evaluated in robust multicenter prospective. Therefore, no treatment has regulatory approval for pure class V LN. Obinutuzumab, a 2nd-generation B-cell targeting therapy, is more efficient than rituximab in inducing B-cell depletion and complete renal response in patient with class III or IV lupus nephritis. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of an obinutuzumab monotherapy in patients with pure class V LN. The primary endpoint is complete renal response at week 52 according to 2024 KDIGO criteria (UPCR \< 0.5 g/g, eGFR ≥ 85% of baseline, and no intercurrent event: treatment failure, rescue therapy, long-term dialysis, renal transplantation, death or early trial withdrawal)

Immunophenotyping Profiling in Patients With Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Immunophenotyping profiling of patients with primary MN, primary FSGS and MCD. Evaluation of these immune cell subsets as possible biomarkers to track response to treatment or disease relapse.

MOR202 for Refractory MN

Membranous nephropathy (MN) - the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults - is an immune-mediated disease that results from the deposition of immunoglobulins and complement components onto the sub-epithelial layer of the glomerular capillary wall. The availability for clinical use of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against the B-cell surface antigen CD20, offered the opportunity to test the effects of specific CD20-targeted intervention aimed to prevent B-cell dependent mechanisms resulting in the production of nephritogenic autoantibodies. Rituximab-induced B-cell depletion reduced proteinuria in eight patients with MN while avoiding the adverse effects of steroids and other immunosuppressants. Subsequent studies confirmed that rituximab is remarkably safer than non-specific immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine, and achieves remission in approximately two-thirds of patients with MN-associated nephrotic syndrome. After rituximab-induced remission, however, NS may relapse in approximately one third of patients. Thus, novel therapeutic options are needed for a substantial proportion of patients with MN who may fail rituximab therapy. Conceivably, in patients with MN refractory to CD20-targeted therapy, the production of nephritogenic autoantibodies is sustained by mechanisms that do not depend on autoreactive CD20+ B cells. Recently, it was shown that CD19-negative bone marrow plasma cells, which express CD38, are enriched in chronically inflamed tissue and secrete autoantibodies. Treatment of patients with MN with CD38-targeting antibodies may represent a new therapeutic approach. MOR202 is a fully human recombinant monoclonal antibody against CD38 that has demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy in experimental models of multiple myeloma. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis are the principal mechanisms of action for MOR202-induced lysis of myeloma cells. The working hypothesis is that CD38-targeted therapy with MOR202 may abrogate autoantibody-dependent mechanisms in patients with plasma-cell mediated forms of MN who failed previous treatment with rituximab and second-generation anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies such as ofatumumab. With this background, MOR202 therapy may have an indication for patients with MN and NS resistant to CD20 targeted therapy.

Analysis of T- and B-Cell Subpopulations in Membranous Nephropathy

The aim of this observational study is to provide analysis of T and B lymphocyte subgroups in peripheral blood samples of patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN). A search for disease-related circulating antibodies \[anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody (anti-PLA2R) and anti-thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A antibody (anti-THSD7A)\] in patients' sera is also planned. The main questions to answer are: 1. What is the relationship of these cell populations and their distribution during follow-up with treatment, treatment responses, and relapses? 2. What is the relationship of the cell populations with anti-PLA2R (or anti-THSD7A) antibody levels? Participants will provide peripheral venous blood samples at pre-designated regular intervals. The research team will compare results of the primary MN group with two control groups (IgA nephropathy and healthy volunteer groups) to see if the findings are specific for primary MN.

Personalized Rituximab Treatment Based on Artificial Intelligence in Membranous Nephropathy (iRITUX)

Membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune disease affecting the kidney, and the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in non-diabetic Caucasian adults. The course of this disease is highly variable from one individual to another, ranging from spontaneous remission to progressive chronic kidney disease. The identification of autoantibodies - e.g., the phospholipase A2 receptor type 1 (PLA2R1) - has promoted the use of immunosuppressive drugs such as rituximab which is now a safe and effective first-line treatment for the management of membranous nephropathy. However, up to 40% of patients do not respond to a first course of rituximab treatment. In nephrotic patients, due to urinary drug loss, rituximab blood level is lower than in other autoimmune diseases treated with rituximab without proteinuria. This high urinary drug loss decreases the drug exposure, potentially explaining why rituximab regimen with low dose infusions (375 mg/m2) did not demonstrate efficacy after month-6 compared to a non-immunosuppressive antiproteinuric treatment in a previous study. In contrast, a regimen of two 1-g infusions two weeks apart was associated with a significantly greater remission rate after 6 months. Recently, the investigators have shown that after two 1-g rituximab infusions, the rituximab blood level 3 months after the first rituximab infusion, was correlated with the likelihood of remission after 6 and 12 months of the rituximab treatment. Patients with positive rituximab blood level 3 months after treatment had a higher chance of remission at month-6 and at month-12 than patients with an undetectable rituximab level at month-3. Nowadays, machine learning algorithms are increasingly used in medicine, especially in pharmacology, to predict the exposure to a drug, the initial dose to administer or the interval between two infusions. The objective of this study is to use a machine learning algorithm predicting the risk of having an undetectable residual level of rituximab 3 months after treatment, in order to propose a personalized treatment management with early additional doses of rituximab for the patients at risk.

Interferon Alfa Therapy Based on Th17 Profile in Membranous Nephropathy

Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is a renal autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies. Current management is based on the use of immunosuppressive therapies. MN patients with a pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine profile have a 10.5-fold increased risk of disease relapse. Interferon-based immunomodulatory therapies are effective in blocking the production of cytokines in the Th17 pathway avoiding an increased risk of infection, unlike immunosuppressive treatments. To date, these treatments have not been evaluated in the management of MN. The aims of the ALPHAGEM project are to monitor the immunological activity of the disease before and after 6 months of personalized interferon-alfa treatment in MN patients.

Immunopathological Analysis in a French National Cohort of Membranous Nephropathy

National cohort of all cases of membranous nephropathy (MN) during a 1 year period in France, based on a pathological and/or serological diagnostic, collecting the data on: * incidence of MN * prevalence of anti-PLA2R1 and anti-THSD7A * clinical outcome one year after diagnosis or after relapse (complete remission, partial remission or persistent nephrotic syndrome) * environmental risk factors for the onset of MN * HLA markers * patient care status in France

NEPTUNE Match Study

NEPTUNE Match is an additional opportunity offered to NEPTUNE study participants to prospectively recruit and communicate patient-specific clinical trial matching with kidney patients and their physician investigators.

Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network

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.

Efficacy and Safety of CD19 CAR-γδ T Cells in the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Autoimmune Nephropathy

This study is a single-arm, single-center, open-label, dose-escalation exploratory clinical study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of CD19 CAR-γδ T cells. The subjects enrolled in this study are patients with relapsed/refractory autoimmune nephropathy, including lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, and membranous nephropathy. This study adopts a standard "3+3" design to assess the recommended dose (RD) and identify dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The treatment process is as follows: subjects who meet the inclusion criteria will receive lymphodepletion conditioning, followed by a single intravenous infusion of CD19 CAR-γδ T cells. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of this cellular therapy, including the incidence of DLTs, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or RD, as well as the incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events and clinically significant abnormal laboratory test results after CAR-γδ T cell infusion (including the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)). The planned follow-up duration of this study is 1 years.

An Outcome Analysis of Primary Membranous Nephropathy

This is an observational study intended to track the course of the primary membranous nephropathy disease in real-world clinical practice. The study will primarily assess the long-term outcomes of patients with primary membranous nephropathy in the context of advances in treatment options.

Autoreactive B Cells in Membranous Nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults. The majority of MN patients show detectable circulating antibodies against the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R). Infusion of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies results in a profound depletion of B-cells, which are thought to be responsible for anti-PLA2R production. B-cell depletion is followed by NS remission in 70% of cases. Limited evidence highlighted that differences in the B- and T-cell compartments may exist between responders and non-responders. Owing to the non-homogenous efficacy of anti-CD20 treatment, investigators hypothesize that in MN patients who experience NS remission after B-cell depleting therapy, autoreactive B-cells may be mostly circulating, whereas in patients who do not respond to the same treatment, autoreactive B-cells may chiefly reside into secondary lymphoid organs - and thus be more resistant to the drug action. Researchers will therefore extensively analyze the circulating immune repertoire of MN patients before and after the infusion of B-cell lineage depleting agents, assessing the presence of circulating PLA2R autoreactive B cells from appropriately stratified responder and non-responder patients. Patients and healthy controls will be enrolled in this study. Patients will be stratified according to gender, anti-PLA2R status, type of B-cell lineage depleting agent received and response to treatment.

Omics of Rituximab-resistance

The CONFUCIUS project aims to establish a personalised medicine framework for MN patients by integrating pharmacogenomics with other -omics technologies in order to identify biomarkers that predict response to RTX, ultimately enabling optimized treatment selection. Using a multiomics approach, we will analyse genetic variants, serum and kidney proteomics, and serum metabolomics profiles from a well-characterised retrospective cohort of MN patients to uncover predictive biomarkers of RTX response. This is a non-pharmacological interventional study, conducted on biological samples from patients stored in the local biobank and on samples from healthy volunteers, which will be collected and subsequently stored in the biobank.