Take an experimental medication to treat severe kidney disease with high blood pressure

Back to Hypertensive Emergency-associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome trials

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This trial tests whether a medication called eculizumab can help people recover from a serious condition that combines kidney failure with dangerously high blood pressure. The study compares patients who receive eculizumab along with standard blood pressure medication to patients who receive standard blood pressure medication alone. Researchers believe this medication may protect the kidneys by addressing an underlying problem in how the body's immune system is working.

Doctors have noticed that some patients develop sudden, severe kidney failure at the same time as a dangerous spike in blood pressure, and they don't fully understand why standard treatment alone isn't always enough. Recent research suggests that this medication might help by targeting a specific immune system problem that appears to be involved in this condition.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you have been hospitalized within the past 10 days with sudden kidney failure and severely high blood pressure (systolic over 180 or diastolic over 110)
you have signs of damage to your blood cells (low red blood cells, low platelets, and abnormal blood test results)
you have evidence of organ damage from the high blood pressure, such as neurological symptoms, heart problems, or vision changes
you are willing and able to use effective birth control during the study and for at least 5 months after treatment ends

You likely don't qualify if…

you have severely scarred kidneys (smaller than 8 centimeters)
you have an active infection, including untreated meningitis infection
you have had a recent stroke or have other blood clotting disorders
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or unable to use reliable birth control
you are taking part in another medical research study or have taken an experimental drug within the past 3 months

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive the new medication by IV infusion once a week for 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks for 8 more weeks, while both groups receive blood pressure medication; the other group receives only blood pressure medication. You will need to stay in the hospital during the initial treatment phase and have regular follow-up visits to monitor your kidney function, blood pressure, and blood cell counts. The entire study lasts about 3 months of active treatment, with additional follow-up visits to check how well you're recovering.

Testing a new treatment for severe kidney disease with dangerously high blood pressure

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)