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Joshua Thurman, MD
University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2009 Biomarkers
2009 Kidney
Non-Invasive Assessment of Lupus Nephritis
An invasive kidney biopsy is currently the only accurate way to determine what’s going on in the kidneys of people with lupus nephritis (inflammation). A precise diagnosis is necessary in order to distinguish those patients that need to be subjected to aggressive but potentially lifesaving treatment from those patients at less risk for serious problems. Although generally safe, a kidney biopsy usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital, and complications do occur.
Dr. Thurman takes on this critical challenge with funding from the LRI, as he tests an innovative method for monitoring kidney inflammation: noninvasive MRI scanning that measures levels of certain pro-inflammatory “complement” proteins in the kidneys.
If successful, the technique will represent a powerful and entirely new and safe means of tailoring drug therapy for people with lupus nephritis.
“This project directly addresses the difficulties that I (and all nephrologists) face when trying to decide how much immunosuppression patients with kidney disease need. The methods we are working on, however, will also require the input of radiologists, chemists, and lots of expertise outside the research conducted in my laboratory. This funding will be invaluable in giving me the opportunity to bring this expertise together, and I think it will really permit us to develop a new and powerful diagnostic tool.”
