Seminars in nephrologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151649
Dervla M. Connaughton MB, BCh, BAOI, LRCP&SI, MSc, PhD , Andrew J. Mallett MBBS, MMed, PhD, CF, AFRACMA, FISN, FASN, FRCP, FRACP
{"title":"Models of Care for the Implementation of Genetic Testing in Nephrology","authors":"Dervla M. Connaughton MB, BCh, BAOI, LRCP&SI, MSc, PhD , Andrew J. Mallett MBBS, MMed, PhD, CF, AFRACMA, FISN, FASN, FRCP, FRACP","doi":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151649","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151649","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genetic testing holds great potential to enhance the diagnosis and management of kidney disease, yet its integration into routine nephrology care remains limited and often delayed. Despite strong evidence supporting its clinical utility and cost effectiveness, significant barriers hinder its widespread adoption. This review examines care models designed to embed genetic testing into nephrology practice and proposes strategies to improve access for chronic kidney disease patients. Key approaches include enhancing clinical genetic services, establishing kidney genetics clinics, using technology such as virtual consultations, forming variant review boards and multidisciplinary teams, and mainstreaming genetic testing into nephrology care. For each model, the review identifies essential components for success and discusses barriers and facilitators to implementation. By focusing on practical, scalable, and patient-centered solutions, this review advocates for a paradigm shift in nephrology care. It envisions genetic testing as a standard component of kidney disease management, aiming to improve outcomes and promote equitable care for patients globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21756,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in nephrology","volume":"45 5","pages":"Article 151649"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in nephrologyPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151647
Vanessa Gitau BS , Julie Ratliff BS, MPH , Ryan Webb BS , Andrew J. Mallett MD PhD , Pamela Ajuyah PhD
{"title":"Gene-Disease Relationships in Kidney Genetics","authors":"Vanessa Gitau BS , Julie Ratliff BS, MPH , Ryan Webb BS , Andrew J. Mallett MD PhD , Pamela Ajuyah PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genomic sequencing technologies are used in diagnostic laboratories to identify genetic causes of disease in patients. Gene curation plays an integral role by determining which genes have sufficient evidence for inclusion in diagnostic panels and those that should be prioritized in genome and exome sequencing. As the precursor to variant curation, gene curation also establishes pathogenicity limits for variant classification. Evaluating the clinical validity of a gene–disease relationship requires assessment of genetic and experimental evidence from literature and databases. The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) has a semiquantitative framework for gene curation that is used across its Gene Curation Expert Panels (GCEPs). The ClinGen Kidney Disease Clinical Domain Working Group oversees five GCEPs covering the glomerulopathies, tubulopathies, complement-mediated kidney diseases, congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, and renal ciliopathies. These panels use a multidisciplinary approach in their gene curations, which are published and accessible to the public via the ClinGen website. ClinGen’s expert-informed curations and other resources outlined in this review will help nephrologists validate whether genetic findings in reports are clinically relevant to their patients. Empowering nephrologists with knowledge of gene curation principles is imperative for informed decision-making in patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21756,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in nephrology","volume":"45 5","pages":"Article 151647"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in nephrologyPub Date : 2025-07-01Epub Date: 2025-07-12DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151659
Julia Jefferis, Amali Mallawaarachchi, Nine Knoers, Miquel Blasco, Andrew J Mallett
{"title":"Should Genetic Testing be Indicated and Implemented for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Cause?","authors":"Julia Jefferis, Amali Mallawaarachchi, Nine Knoers, Miquel Blasco, Andrew J Mallett","doi":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in genetic testing have attributed many cases of clinically unexplained kidney disease (UKD) to monogenic disorders with such reclarified diagnoses optimizing and individualizing patient care. Patients affected by UKD despite reasonable nephrological workup can benefit from genetic testing because it can reveal etiology, end protracted diagnostic odysseys, inform prognosis, guide management, avoid unnecessary treatments, confer broader implications for family members including transplantation, enable genetic counseling, and guide reproductive care. Recent studies have found diagnostic yield of genetic testing in UKD is between 11% and 32%, even in those without family history of kidney disease, with variants most frequently identified in COL4A3-5. Given the broad spectrum of patients with UKD, considering testing in all patients would ensure such clarifying diagnoses are not missed. However, genetic testing in UKD carries complexity for patients, clinicians and health care systems and thus requires education and support frameworks to overcome these barriers. A patient-centered discussion and shared decision-making around the merits and potential harms in all patients with UKD ensure potential genetic diagnoses are not missed, with a focus on patient autonomy and benefit.</p>","PeriodicalId":21756,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in nephrology","volume":" ","pages":"151659"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in nephrologyPub Date : 2025-07-01Epub Date: 2025-07-19DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151652
Janewit Wongboonsin, Andrew J Mallett
{"title":"Genetic Nephrology: An Arising Subspecialty in Kidney Medicine.","authors":"Janewit Wongboonsin, Andrew J Mallett","doi":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151652","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21756,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in nephrology","volume":" ","pages":"151652"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seminars in nephrologyPub Date : 2025-07-01Epub Date: 2025-07-21DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151656
Yasar Caliskan, Ana Iltis, Janewit Wongboonsin, Krista L Lentine
{"title":"Communicating Risk Alleles in Kidney Genes: Lessons from APOL1 and New Discoveries of Risk Alleles.","authors":"Yasar Caliskan, Ana Iltis, Janewit Wongboonsin, Krista L Lentine","doi":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semnephrol.2025.151656","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective communication of genetic risk alleles, particularly APOL1 renal risk variants, is essential for enhancing patient comprehension, guiding clinical decision-making, and ensuring equitable health care. This review explores the communication and implications of risk alleles in kidney-related genes, emphasizing the need for genetic training for nephrologists, expanded genetic counseling services, and multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize test interpretation and patient-centered care. Increasing ancestral diversity in genetic databases remains critical for refining risk assessments and minimizing uncertainty in result interpretation. Additionally, addressing concerns regarding genetic discrimination through legal protections is necessary to promote ethical use of genetic information. Collaborating with experts in risk communication and engaging community members, as exemplified by the APOLLO Consortium's Community Advisory Council, will aid in integrating genetic and nongenetic risk factors to improve health outcomes. Moving forward, research efforts must focus on elucidating APOL1-associated disease mechanisms, refining risk stratification, and developing targeted therapeutics. Implementing innovative communication strategies, including culturally competent counseling, digital education tools, and standardized decision aids, will be vital in making genetic information both accessible and actionable. By addressing these challenges, the medical community can fully leverage genetic testing to advance personalized medicine, improve patient outcomes, and reduce disparities in kidney disease care.</p>","PeriodicalId":21756,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in nephrology","volume":" ","pages":"151656"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}