Renal Week 2008

Bessie Young, MD

Survival Varies by Transplant Type

PHILADELPHIA—In a system where solid organ transplant recipients have universal access to medications and health care, kidney transplant patients have better survival following transplantation than liver and heart transplant patients, data show.

Medication Non-Adherence Widespread

PHILADELPHIA—Non-adherence to immunosuppressive medications is pervasive among pediatric patients who have undergone renal transplantation, a study found. Non-adherence begins as soon as four weeks following transplantation, and the problem increases as dosing regimens become more complex.

A Novel Approach to RCC Treatment

PHILADELPHIA—Researchers say they may have identified a novel approach to treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It involves using compounds that block a cancer gene’s repair mechanism so that chemotherapy is more effective.

Protein Diets Offer Similar Survival

PHILADELPHIA—Tighter restriction of protein intake does not increase the likelihood of survival among CKD patients not yet on dialysis, according to an Italian study that also showed that serum phosphate levels predict progression to dialysis and death.

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