Grant: CIHR New Investigator

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease. However when the transplant fails, patients are forced to go back to dialysis, which is associated with a lower quality of life, higher health care costs and a higher risk of death. Kidney transplant failure commonly results from injury related to different types of inflammation, such as rejection. Although there may be treatment options available for different types of inflammation in the transplant, such as increasing anti-rejection medications, they may not work if the inflammation has damaged the kidney transplant too badly. The goal of this research program is to develop different urine tests that can diagnose these conditions early in the injury process so that effective treatment can be started before kidney transplant scarring, dysfunction or failure occurs. This could lead to personalized medical care to help keep the kidney transplant working for as long as possible. This research will look at three important types of inflammation that occur throughout the lifespan of a kidney transplant, in order to develop a better program of care for kidney transplant patients.