Virtual bone biopsy to check how quickly bones are being rebuilt or broken down in chronic kidney disease
NonInvasive Virtual Biopsy for Determining Bone Turnover in Chronic Kidney Disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11166653
Using detailed, low-dose bone scans to tell whether people with chronic kidney disease have high or low bone turnover so doctors can choose safer treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11166653 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would get a high-resolution peripheral CT scan (a low-dose, detailed bone image) that the team calls a "virtual biopsy" to look for signs of fast or slow bone remodeling. The researchers will combine these images with clinical information and reference measurements to see if the scans match what a biopsy or other markers would show. The goal is to replace invasive bone biopsies with a simple imaging visit when possible. The work focuses on people with chronic kidney disease, especially older adults who face high fracture risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic kidney disease—particularly older adults (65+) who are at risk for fractures and can come for imaging visits—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without chronic kidney disease or those who cannot undergo the specialized bone scan or already have a definitive biopsy result are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors pick the right bone-strengthening medicine without an invasive biopsy, lowering fracture risk and improving safety.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional bone biopsy is the current gold standard but is invasive, and blood tests are unreliable in CKD, so using high-resolution bone imaging to infer turnover is a relatively new approach with limited prior validation.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KAZAKIA, GALATEIA J — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: KAZAKIA, GALATEIA J
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 below.