Simple Blood Test Could Predict Kidney Disease Trajectories

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited condition that can lead to kidney failure. Accurately predicting how the disease will progress is critical for selecting appropriate treatments and providing informed patient counselling. However, current prediction tools are often inadequate, relying on MRI scans or genetic testing, which are not always accessible. As a result, there is a need for more effective, widely applicable methods to determine disease progression. In a new study, researchers have discovered that specific proteins in the blood can indicate how rapidly kidney function is likely to decline, offering a promising testing alternative to existing methods.

In the study, researchers from the University of Cologne (Cologne, Germany) used mass spectrometry to analyze blood samples from one of the world’s largest and best-characterized ADPKD patient cohorts. They integrated a novel robotic pipeline to process more than 1,000 samples and generate a serum proteomics-based prediction model. This approach enabled them to identify 29 proteins involved in immune function, fat transport, and metabolism that are strongly associated with the rate of kidney function decline. The collaborative research also reflects joint efforts between clinician scientists and computational biologists to bridge laboratory discovery and clinical application.

Image: Researchers have discovered 29 proteins that are linked to how quickly kidney function declines in patients with ADPKD (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Their findings, published in Nature Communications, confirm that blood proteins can serve as biomarkers for ADPKD progression and reveal underlying mechanisms of the disease. The study shows that proteomics not only improves prediction but also provides insights into biological processes that drive ADPKD. These biomarkers may help personalize care by identifying patients at higher risk and guiding treatment decisions earlier. The researchers now plan to explore how current therapies influence proteome patterns and to develop new proteome-based markers for routine clinical use.

"Our study shows that blood proteins can offer powerful clues about how fast a patient's kidney function is likely to decline, potentially allowing for more personalized care in the most common genetic cause of kidney failure, ADPKD," said Professor Dr. Roman-Ulrich Müller, principal investigator. “By identifying specific proteins linked to disease progression, we’ve taken a meaningful step towards more accurate and earlier prediction, beyond what current clinical tools can provide.”