Kidney Diseases Clinical Trial Directory

Volunteering to participate in clinical trials helps researchers learn more about diseases and finding new ways to treat them. Although there are risks, clinical trial participation can be very rewarding because you can help learn more about today’s diseases while also helping discover treatments that may help people in the future.

Many people with kidney diseases want to know more about how to participate in clinical trials. This directory of trials features opportunities from partners who have requested the National Kidney Foundation to help bring these research opportunities to you. Other opportunities to participate in clinical research exist – ask your healthcare provider about other clinical trials happening in in your area.

APOL1 Gene Variation

• APOL1 Program (Vertex Pharmaceuticals): Do you have symptoms of chronic kidney disease? If you are an individual of African ancestry with chronic kidney disease and high levels of protein in your urine, your condition may be caused by a gene variation, and a clinical research study may be an option for you. Visit apol1program.com to learn more information.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

• FIND-CKD (Bayer): Patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) show declining kidney function, a condition that puts them at risk of needing dialysis and at risk of a heart attack. This study, called FIND-CKD, is being carried out to learn more about an investigational drug called finerenone. The study aims to evaluate whether the investigational drug slows down the progression of ND-CKD, reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with ND-CKD, and whether it is safe and its effects on the body. For additional information about the trial watch Find-CKD and to sign-up for the trial visit Bayer Find-CKD Trial

Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus (Itchy Skin)

• KICK (CARA Therapeutics): The KICK studies are clinical trials testing difelikefalin (a tablet taken by mouth) to see if it helps reduce intensity of itching and the impact that itching has on your quality of life. An intravenous (IV) form of difelikefalin has been approved by the FDA to treat itching associated with CKD in adults who are undergoing dialysis. The KICK studies are testing a tablet form of the medication to see if it reduces itching in CKD patients who are not on dialysis. To learn more and see if you qualify, visit the KICK studies clinical trial page. (También se ofrece en español: la página de ensayos clínicos de los estudios KICK)

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

• APPLAUSE-IgAN (Novartis): This is a Phase 3 global clinical trial that will look at the effects of an investigational drug, iptacopan (LNP023), in people with IgAN. The trial will study the effects of iptacopan (LNP023) on reducing inflammation and kidney damage in people with IgAN. https://www.iganclinicaltrial.com/
• ARTEMIS-IGAN (Omeros Corporation): Do you have IgA Nephropathy and are interested in participating in a clinical trial? To see if you qualify, visit the ARTEMIS-IGAN clinical trial page.
• BION-1301 (Chinook Therapeutics): Have you been diagnosed with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN)? If you have had a diagnosis of IgAN verified by a biopsy taken within the last 10 years, you may qualify for the BION-1301 clinical trial.
• ORIGIN (Vera Therapeutics): Get to the root of your IgA Nephropathy (IgAN). Join the ORIGIN clinical research study, which is exploring an investigational medication for IgAN. Learn more at www.theoriginiganstudy.com.

Kidney Cancer

• LITESPARK-022 (Merck):This Phase 3 study is testing if giving a combination of two treatments to people who have had surgery to completely remove their kidney cancer can help prevent or delay the cancer from coming back. This trial will test if the drug pembrolizumab and the drug belzutifan in combination (taken together) may prevent or lower the change of kidney cancer coming back. This trial is for certain people that have a higher risk of their kidney cancer returning after surgical removal. To learn more about this trial and where it is being conducted, visit the Merck Oncology Clinical Trials site.

Membranous Nephropathy (MN)

• REBOOT (NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases): The Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) is conducting a primary membranous nephropathy study, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). For more information or if you are interested in participating in this study, please visit the REBOOT website.

In addition to the opportunities listed above, several databases exist to help you find a clinical trial and learn how to get involved. Some examples are provided below. They can be accessed using the following links: 

• CenterWatch: Use this listing service to find an industry-sponsored clinical trial that is currently seeking volunteers.
• Clinicaltrials.gov: Search this database of publicly and privately supported clinical studies around the world
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Clinical Trials: Search this database of studies for diseases and conditions sponsored by the NHLBI to see if you or a loved one is eligible.
• ResearchMatch.org: Create a volunteer profile for yourself or for someone else as their parent or guardian. This NIH-funded resource is a free, secure registry that will keep you informed of clinical research studies that need volunteers matching your profile.
• Antidote: Let's find cures together. Click start in the box below and answer a series of questions to see if there is a clinical trial that may be a match for you. The link in the box below will open a new browser window or tab so make sure you have enabled pop-ups.

The National Kidney Foundation shares these clinical trial listings to help advance research for kidney diseases. The NKF does not endorse any specific commercial product studied or used in any of these trials. Each trial has different eligibility criteria. For more specific information, visit the website for the trial.