Agents in development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease, and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy seems to occur as a result of an interaction between metabolic and haemodynamic factors, which activate common pathways that lead to renal damage. In the past, the treatment of diabetic nephro-pathy has focused on the control of hyperglycaemia. Newer targets, some of which are linked to glucose-dependent pathways, appear to be a major focus of new treatments directed against the development and progression of renal damage as a result of diabetes. It is anticipated that additional thera-peutic approaches that inhibit both metabolic and haemodynamic pathways will include strategies that target growth factors, cytokines and intracellular second messengers. Such an approach is expected to lead to improved therapies for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

• advanced glycation end products
• AGE inhibitor
• CTGF
• diabetes
• diabetic nephropathy
• growth factor
• PDGF
• RAGE
• TGF-β
• VEGF