ASN Breakthroughs and Challenges of a New Era in ADPKD

Advanced Polycystic Kidney Disease CME Update

Explore the rapidly evolving field of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) with this advanced educational program from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) focused on the latest breakthroughs, controversies, and clinical challenges in modern PKD care.

This comprehensive nephrology update reviews:
✔️ ADPKD risk stratification
✔️ Genetic testing and sequencing
✔️ Kidney volumetrics and imaging
✔️ Metabolic therapies
✔️ Liver cyst management
✔️ Brain aneurysm screening
✔️ Renal replacement therapy (RRT)
✔️ Pediatric-to-adult care transition
✔️ FDA approval challenges for new therapies
✔️ Health disparities in PKD care

The program highlights how advances in genetics, imaging, and targeted therapies are transforming the diagnosis and management of ADPKD in the modern era.

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Course Overview

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common inherited kidney disorders and remains a major cause of:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• End-stage kidney disease (ESKD)
• Dialysis dependence
• Kidney transplantation

This ASN educational activity focuses on:

Emerging precision medicine approaches in ADPKD

while addressing:

• Real-world management challenges
• New diagnostic technologies
• Evolving therapeutic strategies
• Long-term complications
• Patient-centered care

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Educational Focus

Participants will gain practical insights into:
✔️ Modern ADPKD diagnosis
✔️ Genetic risk assessment
✔️ Disease progression prediction
✔️ Imaging-based monitoring
✔️ Metabolic targeting therapies
✔️ Complication management
✔️ Transition of care strategies
✔️ Personalized nephrology approaches

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Major Topics Covered

ADPKD Care Utilization Challenges in the 2020s

This session explores:

• Barriers to specialty care
• Access to advanced diagnostics
• Long-term disease monitoring
• Healthcare system limitations
• Resource utilization in PKD management

Discussion includes:
✔️ Improving access to care
✔️ Optimizing multidisciplinary management
✔️ Addressing healthcare inequities

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ADPKD Risk Stratification – A Mutation-Centric View

Comprehensive genetics-focused review of:

• PKD1 and PKD2 mutations
• Genotype-phenotype correlations
• Disease severity prediction
• Precision nephrology approaches
• Personalized risk assessment

Participants learn how:

Genetic findings influence prognosis and treatment planning.

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ADPKD Risk Stratification – How to Order and Use 3D Kidney Volumetrics

Advanced imaging education includes:

• Total kidney volume (TKV)
• Mayo Imaging Classification
• 3D volumetric analysis
• MRI and CT imaging protocols
• Disease progression monitoring

This section emphasizes:
✔️ Imaging-based prognostication
✔️ Monitoring rapid progressors
✔️ Therapeutic decision-making

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Challenges of Using Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in ADPKD

Topics include:

• Hemodialysis in ADPKD
• Peritoneal dialysis considerations
• Transplant challenges
• Enlarged kidney complications
• Vascular access issues

Participants review:
✔️ Dialysis modality selection
✔️ Timing of transplantation
✔️ Pre-transplant nephrectomy considerations

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Childhood PKD and Transition to Adult Care

Focused discussion on:

• Pediatric ADPKD diagnosis
• Early disease manifestations
• Long-term monitoring
• Transition programs
• Adolescent and young adult care

This session highlights:
✔️ Continuity of nephrology care
✔️ Family counseling
✔️ Early intervention strategies

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Diagnosis Using Low-Cost Sequencing Platforms

Review of modern genetic diagnostics:

• Affordable sequencing technologies
• Genetic testing accessibility
• Screening approaches
• Variant interpretation
• Diagnostic yield in hereditary kidney disease

Topics include:
✔️ Expanding access to genetic diagnosis
✔️ Cost-effective nephrogenetics

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Emerging Differences in Care for Patients with PKD vs. Other CKD

Discussion focuses on:

• Distinct ADPKD management needs
• Differences from traditional CKD care
• Disease-specific monitoring
• Targeted therapeutic approaches

Participants learn:
✔️ Why PKD requires specialized nephrology care pathways

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Entering an Era of Metabolic Targeting in ADPKD

One of the most cutting-edge sessions in the course explores:

• Metabolic pathways in cyst growth
• Novel therapeutic targets
• Cellular metabolism in PKD
• Emerging pharmacologic strategies

Coverage includes:
✔️ Future therapies for ADPKD
✔️ Disease-modifying treatment approaches
✔️ Precision medicine innovations

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Health Disparities in ADPKD Care

Important public health discussion includes:

• Access disparities
• Socioeconomic barriers
• Racial and geographic inequities
• Genetic testing access
• Specialty nephrology availability

This session emphasizes:
✔️ Equity in kidney care
✔️ Improved access to emerging therapies

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Overcoming the Challenges of FDA Approval (Including New Studies)

Review of:

• Clinical trial design
• Regulatory approval pathways
• Emerging ADPKD studies
• Drug development challenges
• Translational nephrology research

Participants gain insight into:
✔️ How new ADPKD therapies reach clinical practice

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Patient Expectations and Old Problems

This patient-centered session reviews:

• Chronic symptom burden
• Pain management
• Fatigue
• Quality of life
• Patient education
• Long-term disease expectations

Topics highlight:
✔️ Shared decision-making
✔️ Real-world PKD patient challenges

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What to Do with Brain Aneurysms

Critical review of:

• Intracranial aneurysm screening
• Risk stratification
• Imaging recommendations
• Family history considerations
• Neurosurgical referral indications

This session is highly relevant because:

ADPKD significantly increases aneurysm risk.

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What to Do with Liver Cysts

Comprehensive discussion includes:

• Polycystic liver disease
• Hepatic cyst complications
• Imaging surveillance
• Symptom management
• Interventional approaches

Participants review:
✔️ Liver cyst treatment strategies
✔️ Multidisciplinary care considerations

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Key Educational Benefits

Participants will improve their ability to:
✔️ Diagnose and risk-stratify ADPKD
✔️ Utilize advanced kidney imaging
✔️ Integrate genetic testing into clinical care
✔️ Manage complex PKD complications
✔️ Counsel patients effectively
✔️ Apply emerging ADPKD therapies
✔️ Understand evolving nephrology research

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Target Audience

Ideal for:

• Nephrologists
• Internal medicine physicians
• Kidney disease specialists
• Nephrology fellows
• Genetic nephrology clinicians
• Transplant nephrologists
• Advanced practice providers in nephrology
• Researchers interested in PKD

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Why This Course Matters

The management of ADPKD is changing rapidly due to advances in:

• Genetic testing
• Precision nephrology
• Imaging technology
• Disease-modifying therapies
• Metabolic targeting research

This ASN program provides:

A modern, clinically relevant roadmap for managing ADPKD in the current era.

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Final Perspective

ASN Breakthroughs and Challenges of a New Era in ADPKD delivers an advanced and highly practical update on modern polycystic kidney disease management.

By integrating:

• Genetics
• Imaging
• Risk prediction
• Metabolic therapies
• Patient-centered care
• Regulatory science
• Precision nephrology

this program equips nephrology professionals with the latest evidence and clinical strategies needed to optimize outcomes in ADPKD.

For clinicians seeking cutting-edge education in hereditary kidney disease and modern nephrology innovation, this ASN course offers an outstanding review of the future of ADPKD care.