Congratulations to Drs. Sam Silver, Amber Molnar and Ann Young and teams for being selected for funding by the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium! Stream 1 for this request for applications was dedicated to novel trial designs. With a total funding pool of $1.5 million, 2 of the 8 trials selected were CNTN endorsed trials:
Dr. Samuel Silver (Kingston, ON; Queens University) and Dr. Amber Molnar (Hamilton, ON; McMaster University): Dial-Bicarb: The Dial-Bicarb Trial investigates dialysate bicarbonate levels
Dr. Ann Young (Toronto, ON; Unity Health Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital): KidneyCare Outreach: Vanguard phase of a population-based randomized clinical trial to strengthen kidney care delivery for patients at high risk of kidney failure
The ACT Consortium was established to advance and facilitate the implementation of high-quality, high-impact randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to improve global health. For more information on the consortium, visit www.act-aec.com.
The 5th annual Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) Research Symposium took place on May 10, 2023, bringing together patients, providers, and researchers in a celebratory gathering. The event, held at the Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM, served as a platform to honour the achievements of CNTN and explore its future trajectory, while also presenting opportunities for engagement.
This half-day symposium showcased a diverse range of educational presentations by esteemed kidney researchers. These researchers, through their diligent efforts, are making significant contributions to our understanding and treatment of kidney disease.
Presentations included:
Dr. Bhanu Prasad: Decoding loin pain hematuria syndrome (View video) Dr. Prasad presented his ongoing research on loin pain hematuria syndrome. His team’s recent work includes phenotype analysis and pedigree chartings in LPHS as well as genomics. His website, www.prasadbhanu.com, has more information on his research program.
Dr. Amélie Bernier-Jean: Evidence for Potassium restriction in hemodialysis (EvoKe-HD) pilot (View video) “EvoKe-HD is a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility and potential for efficacy of a novel dietary approach to hyperkalemia. Contrary to the traditional recommendations limiting the intake of high-potassium whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, we propose to switch the focus to foods containing potassium that is readily absorbed by the body (high bioavailability), such as potassium from additives, processed meats, milk, fruit juices and sugary drinks.”
Dr. Adeera Levin: New investigator-initiated trial
Dr. Levin presented an upcoming investigator-initiated trial of an investigational drug that will be starting early next year.
Dr. Morteza Ahmadi: Qidni labs innovative dialysis machine Dr. Ahmadi presented Qidni Lab’s nearly waterless and portable dialysis machine currently conducting first-in-human dialysis sessions. Able to run on rechargeable batteries with remote, cloud-based monitoring, this machine could provide dialysis for those living in rural or remote areas or who have no or limited access to dialysis. For more information on their trial and device, visit www.qidni.life.
Congratulations to Dr. Michael Walsh and Dr. Amit Gargand teams for being selected for funding by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)’s Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium! Of the 43 trials that applied for funding, 2 of the 11 trials selected were CNTN endorsed trials:
Dr. Amit Garg (London, ON; Western University and the London Health Sciences Centre): Effect of a Multi-Component Quality Improvement Intervention on Patient Access to Kidney Transplantation and Living Kidney Donation (EnAKT-LKD)
Dr. Michael Walsh (Hamilton, ON; McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute): Aldosterone blockade for Health Improvement Evaluation in End-stage renal disease (ACHIEVE)
The ACT Consortium was established to advance and facilitate the implementation of high-quality, high-impact randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to improve global health. For more information on the consortium, visit www.act-aec.com.
This most recent call for proposals was designed to support ongoing and active, Canadian-led, high-impact RCTs that required additional funding for successful completion. All recipients of this ACT grant will publicly report their results by January 15, 2025.
Patients, providers, and policy-makers came together from across Canada came together in March to plant, cultivate, and nurture support for new randomized controlled trials in hemodialysis.
The Gardener’s Grove Conference 2023 was a four-day virtual event featuring education sessions and presentations of proposed pragmatic trials that have the potential of improving routine hemodialysis care. Audience participation, group discussions and expert panels provided meaningful advice to improve the proposed trials and nurture new ideas.
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) was well represented at the conference with presentations by four committee members.
Karthik Tennankore: BP in HD: Finding the Right Blood Pressure Target for Patients on Dialysis (View video)
Melissa Schorr: Impact of diuretic use on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis Who Have Residual Renal Function (View video)
Amber Molnar and Dr. Samuel Silver: Dial-Bicarb – Outcomes of a Higher vs. Lower Hemodialysate Bicarbonate Concentration (View video)
A detailed summary of the conference, including all presentations and panel discussions, can be viewed here.
Every year on May 20, we acknowledge International Clinical Trials Day! Raising clinical trial awareness and honouring clinical research professionals across the globe. The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network would like to recognize the work of our network members in advancing medical knowledge through research.
The International Society of Nephrology hosted the World Congress of Nephrology from March 30 to April 2 in Bangkok, Thailand. CNTN was represented on the international stage and proud to highlight our network. Many thanks for Dr. Michelle Wong, who is a member of the Communications and Engagement Committee, for presenting our CNTN poster at the event.
March 9 is #WorldKidneyDay! We would like to recognize the work of CNTN members for raising awareness on the importance of kidney health research and clinical trials in Canada. Visit https://cntn.ca to navigate trials and publications from our members. #kidneyhealthforall
We hope CNTN membership had a safe Holiday Season and Happy New Year. We look forward to 2023 and what is in store!
Nos meilleurs vœux pour 2023
Nous espérons que les membres du RCEN ont connu une bonne période de fêtes et une bonne année. Nous avons hâte à 2023 et à ce qui nous attend!
The Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium
As part of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BLSS), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinical Trials Fund (CTF) will be foundational in ensuring that Canadians are well served by a national clinical trials network that fosters all aspects of therapeutics development, from discovery through to delivery. Approximately $60M is being awarded to 22 projects to fund clinical trial phases, designs, and objectives that align with the priorities of the BLSS.
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network is pleased to announce we were included in a successful CIHR grant application for the The Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium. CNTN member will be involved in committees moving forward and we are excited to be part of this work and to help accelerate clinical trials in Canada.
We are in the planning stages of hosting our next CNTN Research Symposium at the Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 8 am – 11 am AST. This is a great opportunity to learn about what CNTN has been up to, where we are going, and how to get involved. Event will include research presentations.
If you would like to present or have an idea, please contact Alicia Murdoch amurdoch@cansolveckd.ca
Le RCEN a l´AGA 2023 du CSN
Réservez la date!
Nous sommes en train de planifier l’organisation de notre prochain symposium de recherche du RCEN lors de l’AGA de la Société canadienne de néphrologie, le mercredi 10 mai, 8 am – 11 am AST. C’est une excellente occasion d’apprendre ce que le RCEN a fait, où nous allons, et comment s’impliquer. Cet événement inclura des présentations de recherche.
As part of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BLSS), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinical Trials Fund (CTF) will be foundational in ensuring that Canadians are well served by a national clinical trials network that fosters all aspects of therapeutics development, from discovery through to delivery. Approximately $60M is being awarded to 22 projects to fund clinical trial phases, designs, and objectives that align with the priorities of the BLSS.
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network is pleased to announce we were included in a successful CIHR grant application for the The Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium. CNTN member will be involved in committees moving forward and we are excited to be part of this work and to help accelerate clinical trials in Canada
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network was excited to meet in-person in Toronto from October 14-15. The meeting focused on succession planning and short-term and long-term network goals.
“Everyone was excited to meet again in-person,” says CNTN Project Manager Alicia Murdoch, “and I think that set the stage and contributed to a successful meeting.” The meeting included 19 in-person attendees with nephrologists, researchers and patient partners from across the country including 3 virtual participants. It was great to meet new and familiar faces as this was the first in-person meeting in over 2 years. The meeting was opened with a Land Acknowledgment and closed from Knowledge Keeper Garry Sault from Mississauga of Credit First Nation.
The meeting allowed the 4 committees of the CNTN, the Executive, the Capacity Building, Scientific Operations and Communications and Engagement, to come together and review Phase 1 successes and plan for Phase 2. Each committee gave an update to the network members and received feedback during engaging discussion reflecting challenges and successes, what has worked and what could be improved.
Discussion included supporting researchers in patient engagement including reviewing how are patient partners currently engaged in CNTN activities, how can the network support researchers in engaging patients and identifying training and capacity building needs.
Ensuring patient voices were at the forefront, advocacy was a large part of the discussion. “Patients want to make sure their voices are not only being heard but implemented into the collaboration process,” says Murdoch. The idea of patient ambassadors was recurring theme and utilizing them to advocate to REB’s, industry, Health Canada about the research of the network. “We will continue to work with our patient partners to support them and commit to amplifying the patient partner voice within our network and the larger clinical trials community,” states Murdoch.
Future network goals asked membership to reflect where do we go from here, value of CNTN to its members and the larger nephrology research community. Sustainability was discussed at great length to ensure long-term success of the network, including engaging with industry.
The network was able to offer a financial assistance opportunity back in September to projects and teams for an aspect of their research such as recruitment, knowledge translation, or patient engagement activities. The applications were evaluated and ranked by the CNTN Committee members and they reviewed the results during our meeting. There were 27 applications received and a total of 9 projects were awarded a total of $73,625.
CNTN is committed to fostering excellence for Nephrology Trials in Canada and connecting researchers and patients to support research and innovation and we look forward to Phase 2 of the network. We look forward to rolling out our succession planning as we look towards the future of the network.
If you would like to know more about CNTN or ways to get involved, please contact Alicia Murdoch at amurdoch@cansolveckd.ca
