Understanding the Significance of Research in the Treatment of Kidney Diseases

Listen in to hear Dr. Mehta fill us in on how DNA is involved in chronic kidney disease research, including the types of kidney disease that are under investigation within DNA medication clinical trials, the team roles in clinical trials, and what to consider if you are interested in applying to a clinical trial as a patient with kidney disease.
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a process in which a drug or medical procedure is tested on an adult patient with a specific illness or condition. In this case, DNA has participated and conducted research with different clinical trials ranging in study time from several weeks to several years. DNA conducts clinical trials on different types and stages of kidney disease. DNA currently has over twenty clinical studies in progress.
Team Roles in a Clinical Trial
The principal investigator is responsible for the conduct of the trial. Components of a clinical trial include patient safety, wellbeing, the eligibility of the patient, and events that may happen to a patient during the trial. Team members will communicate several times daily about patients in a current clinical trial.
Clinical Trial Phases
There are four clinical trial phases, phases one through four. The first phase is testing on humans, and the fourth involves after-market trials. Some drugs in trials can be directed towards specific types of kidney disease, such as diabetic or high blood pressure kidney disease. In addition, there are rare genetic kidney diseases that have medications in our clinical trials.
Should You Consider Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
As a patient, if you enroll in a trial with DNA, you will receive the standard of care treatment that includes monitoring the disease and treatment with medications. Then, if you are assigned to the treatment phase, you’ll be able to receive treatment inside the clinical trial.