Stories January 29, 2025

Offering hope: Testing new kidney disease treatments at University Hospital

Stories January 29, 2025

Cadence Baker, Research Coordinator, uses a centrifuge to spin blood and separate its components.

Cadence Baker, Research Coordinator, takes us behind the scenes.

According to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, approximately 10,000 people in Ontario are living with advanced chronic kidney disease, while an additional 12,000 are currently undergoing dialysis. The diagnosis, treatment, and management of kidney disease can differ significantly based on the specific condition, and many conditions currently lack effective treatments. To improve patient outcomes, research teams at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) are looking for new ways to deliver care.

Nephrology research at University Hospital

The nephrology research team at University Hospital oversees more than 40 clinical research projects throughout the year, including clinical trials for patients with rare kidney diseases. The researchers conducting these studies include physicians in London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Multi-Organ Transplant Program who are supported by a skilled and dedicated team of Research Assistants and Research Coordinators like Cadence Baker.

Together, they offer new treatment options being studied for patients who have exhausted other therapies, those with rare diseases lacking approved treatments, and individuals being tested for new kidney disease diagnoses. The team is dedicated to reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with kidney disease by evaluating these promising new treatments and optimizing existing therapies.

Cadence takes us behind the scenes to reveal how the team is transforming care through research and offering patients hope for improved treatment.

Cadence Baker, Research Coordinator

It’s always an exciting day when the team starts their morning by launching a new clinical trial for patients with chronic kidney disease. These trials often aim to develop new treatments that can slow the progression of the disease, extend the life of transplanted kidneys, and help patients manage symptoms of rare kidney diseases.

Discussing the new clinical trial gives the team an opportunity to learn about the project, the patient criteria for participation, and the treatment options that will be offered.

The nephrology research at University Hospital discusses anew clinical trial.

Cadence then meets with Dr. Lakshman Gunaratnam, Nephrologist and Director of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program, to discuss the logistics and feasibility of a new clinical trial focused on testing treatments for a rare type of organ rejection in transplant patients. During the meeting, they review the types of patients who would benefit from the trial, the patient criteria for participation, and strategies for identifying potential participants.

Cadence meets with Dr. Lakshman Gunaratnam to discuss the logistics and feasibility of a new clinical trial.

Patients travel from across Canada to participate in clinical trials at University Hospital. For many, these new trials offer hope for a better quality of life while living with kidney disease. During their visit, the research team collects blood and urine samples and monitors the patients’ vital signs.

Research Coordinators Mikhaela Moore and Cadence Baker demonstrate the collection of blood.

Above (from left to right): Mikhaela Moore, Research Coordinator, and Cadence demonstrate the collection of blood.

Sydney Relouw, Research Coordinator, then meets with Dr. Matthew Weir, Nephrologist, to discuss the patient’s health history and potential treatment options.

Sydney Relouw meets with Dr. Matthew Weir to discuss the patient’s health history and potential treatment options.

Above (from the left to right): Dr. Weir and Sydney discuss the patient’s participation in the clinical trial.

Blood and urine samples collected from the patient are used to assess the progression of their kidney disease. Cadence uses the centrifuge to spin the blood, separating its components, and then transfers the samples into mini vials for shipment to the testing lab.

Cadence uses a centrifuge to spin blood and separate its components.
Cadence uses a centrifuge to spin blood and separate its components.
Cadence uses a centrifuge to spin blood and separate its components.

The patient is now officially enrolled in a LHSCRI clinical trial, which will offer a new treatment option and enable LHSCRI scientists to assess its effectiveness. In addition to regular clinic visits, the patient will continue visiting University Hospital every month for the next two years for treatment. During these visits, the research team will monitor the progression of their kidney disease and evaluate their overall well-being.

Through research, the team at LHSCRI is transforming care and helping patients with kidney disease live healthier, happier lives.