PLANO, Texas, October 29, 2026
U.S. Renal Care (USRC) has announced the presentation of eight clinical research studies at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2026, highlighting advances in kidney disease management, dialysis treatment and patient care. The research programme addresses several important challenges affecting people receiving dialysis, including anaemia management, secondary hyperparathyroidism, catheter-related bloodstream infections, hyperphosphataemia and home dialysis workforce shortages. The presentations include late-breaking clinical trial findings, oral presentations and scientific posters covering both investigational treatments and real-world clinical evidence. The studies reflect U.S. Renal Care’s continued investment in clinical research and its collaboration with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare organizations. The findings are particularly relevant as nephrology research increasingly focuses on improving treatment outcomes, reducing dialysis-related complications and developing more individualized approaches to kidney care. Through its Kidney Research programme, USRC aims to translate clinical evidence into practical strategies that can improve the treatment experience and quality of life of patients living with chronic kidney disease.
Eight Studies Address Major Challenges in Kidney Disease
Among the eight presentations, one late-breaking clinical trial focuses on vadadustat administered three times weekly for the treatment of anaemia in patients receiving haemodialysis. The research investigates an alternative dosing approach for managing anaemia, a common complication of advanced kidney disease associated with reduced erythropoietin production and impaired red blood cell formation. The programme also includes two oral presentations. The first examines the efficacy and safety of upacicalcet in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) receiving haemodialysis, drawing on two randomized controlled clinical trials. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease in which abnormalities in calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone regulation affect bone and mineral metabolism. The second oral presentation examines factors influencing the recruitment and retention of nurses in U.S. home dialysis programmes. Addressing workforce shortages is important for expanding home-based dialysis options and ensuring patients receive appropriate clinical support. Together, these presentations explore both pharmaceutical treatment development and healthcare delivery challenges affecting the kidney disease community.
New Research Explores Dialysis Safety and Treatment Innovation
The late-breaking poster programme includes a real-world evaluation of taurolidine/heparin catheter lock solution in patients receiving haemodialysis through central venous catheters. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are a serious complication of dialysis treatment and can lead to hospitalization, additional antibiotic treatment and increased healthcare costs. Catheter lock solutions are used between dialysis sessions to help maintain catheter patency and reduce infection risks. Another presentation examines the association between DefenCath catheter locking solution use and reduced rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections in real-world dialysis centres. The poster programme also includes a Phase 2b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating AP306 for hyperphosphataemia in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis. Hyperphosphataemia, characterized by elevated phosphate levels in the blood, is a common complication of advanced kidney disease and can contribute to cardiovascular and bone-related complications. Additionally, researchers will present biomarker findings from the Phase 3 PATH-1 and PATH-2 trials, investigating chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) biomarkers in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism treated with upacicalcet. These studies contribute to a broader understanding of dialysis-related complications and potential treatment strategies.
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Investigational Therapies Expand Clinical Research Opportunities
The eighth study examines AND017, an investigational hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, in patients with anaemia associated with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). The Phase 3 clinical study is designed to evaluate the medicine in patients who have not yet progressed to dialysis but experience anaemia as a consequence of declining kidney function. HIF-PH inhibitors represent an emerging therapeutic approach that works by activating the body’s natural response to low oxygen levels, stimulating endogenous erythropoietin production and supporting red blood cell formation. This research is important because anaemia can develop during earlier stages of chronic kidney disease and contribute to fatigue, reduced physical capacity and impaired quality of life. The inclusion of AND017 research alongside vadadustat and upacicalcet presentations highlights the breadth of therapeutic investigation within the USRC research programme. The company continues to collaborate with clinical investigators and research partners to evaluate potential treatments and improve the management of complications associated with kidney disease.
The eight presentations demonstrate U.S. Renal Care’s commitment to advancing evidence-based kidney care through clinical trials, real-world research and academic collaboration. The company operates dialysis services across 32 U.S. states and supports more than 37,000 people living with kidney disease through in-centre and home dialysis options. Its research programme covers industry-sponsored, investigator-initiated, academic and federally funded studies. The findings presented at ASN Kidney Week 2026 provide additional scientific information about anaemia treatment, mineral metabolism, infection prevention and dialysis service delivery. These research efforts may help inform future clinical practices and treatment strategies while addressing important unmet needs among patients receiving dialysis and those living with chronic kidney disease. Further investigation will be necessary to establish the clinical benefits of investigational therapies and translate emerging evidence into routine patient care.
Source: U.S. Renal Care press release
