The results of the following path-breaking studies are expected:

ADPKD/everolimus study
Prof. Gerd Walz (Freiburg, Germany)
This placebo-controlled study assessed whether everolimus is effective in preventing cyst and kidney expansion as well as worsening of renal function in patients with ADPKD.

ADPKD/sirolimus study
Prof. Rudolf P. Wuethrich (Zurich, Switzerland)
This randomised controlled study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich assessed the therapeutic effect, safety and tolerability of the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus in ADPKD patients.

ADVANCE-Study
Prof. Paolo Raggi (Gainesville, USA)
This randomised study evaluates the effects of Cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D on vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

4D High-LDL study
Prof. Winfried Maerz (Eppelheim, Germany)
This post-hoc analysis of the 4D study has been performed to investigate whether LDL cholesterol at baseline is predictive of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality and whether the effect of atorvastatin on clinical outcomes depends on LDL at baseline.

IDEAL Trial
Prof. Bruce A. Cooper (St. Leonards, Australia) / Prof. David C.H. Harris (Sydney, Australia)
The primary objective of the IDEAL ("Initiating Dialysis Early and Late") study is to determine whether the timing of dialysis initiation has an effect on survival in subjects with end-stage renal disease. Other endpoints are quality of life and economic costs.

PLANET Trials
Prof. Dick de Zeeuw (Groningen, The Netherlands)
The PLANET studies compare the effect of two statins - rosuvastatin and atorvastatin - on reducing urinary protein excretion, renal function and lipid parameters in diabetic and in non-diabetic patients.

ALLOPURINOL Trial
Prof. Michelle P. Kao, (Dundee, UK)
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assesses whether xanthine oxidase inhibitors reduce both left ventricular hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular patients with renal dysfunction.