New urine tests to assess kidney health in Fabry disease
Official title: Urine podocyte and podocyte GL3: novel screening tools for phenotype assessment and treatment efficacy in Fabry disease
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10644824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a simple urine test to help people with Fabry disease check for kidney damage by looking at important kidney cells and a specific substance, so they can get better care and treatment sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD111661-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10644824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Fabry disease, particularly those experiencing kidney-related symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Fabry disease or those who do not have kidney complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing non-invasive urine tests to detect kidney damage in patients with Fabry disease, a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. The study aims to quantify podocytes, which are crucial for kidney function, and measure the accumulation of a specific substance called GL3 in these cells. By using advanced imaging techniques and a specially created cell line, researchers will establish protocols to improve diagnosis and treatment timing for affected individuals. The goal is to enhance patient care by providing better tools for monitoring kidney health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of kidney complications in Fabry disease patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar non-invasive techniques for monitoring kidney health in various conditions, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Najafian, Behzad — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Najafian, Behzad
Related research
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-
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This study tests lucerastat to see if it can reduce Gb3 buildup and be safe in untreated adult men with Fabry disease.
-
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This study tests how common periodontitis is in people with rare kidney disorders and compares it to CKD patients and people without kidney disease.
-
Anderson-Fabry disease fitness improvement program
This study tests whether a 12-week physiotherapy-led exercise program can improve function, fitness, strength, and quality of life in adults with Fabry disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.