Testing for APOL1 variants
Knowing if your patients’ chronic kidney disease is due to their APOL1 status can provide a clearer prognosis and help guide decisions about disease monitoring and treatment.1
Could your patients have AMKD?
Do you have patients who are experiencing a more rapid progression to kidney failure? Are some more resistant to steroid treatment? If you encounter patients like these, it may be worth delving deeper into their diagnosis to determine whether AMKD could be the underlying cause.
Donald
47 years old
Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS)
Steroid-resistant
Frannie
21 years old
Hypertension
Proteinuria
Amara
62 years old
Proteinuria
Family history of CKD
The above are fictional patients used for illustrative purposes only.
Why test your patients?
Better guide treatment decisions
AMKD patients are more likely to be resistant to steroid treatment, so a proper diagnosis may help avoid treatment that is not effective.2,3
Blood pressure control does not stop the progression of AMKD, but treating hypertension to goal has been shown to have long-term survival benefit.4-7
Better inform patient prognosis
Understanding a patient’s APOL1 status provides a clearer prognosis that can help guide decisions about monitoring and treatment.1
Empower patients and families
Reassure patients that they are not to blame for their CKD, which may help motivate them to live a healthier lifestyle.1
Offer clinical trial opportunities
APOL1 testing and genetic counseling can provide key information to help patients better understand their diagnosis and its implications. Diagnosing AMKD may also allow patients to explore potential clinical trial opportunities.8
Sign up to participate in our APOL1 Genotyping Program.
Our Clinical Program Coordinator will help guide you through the setup and testing process.
Program is sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and is available at no cost* to eligible** patients.
Learn more: Download brochure | Speak with our Clinical Program Coordinator
*Vertex Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring this APOL1 Genotyping Program in collaboration with Labcorp, who will perform APOL1 genotyping and make genetic counseling available for eligible patients at no cost.
**Eligible patients are those of African ancestry who may self-identify as Black, African American, African, or Afro-Caribbean. Patients must have a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, no history of kidney transplant, not have diabetes and must not be currently being treated with dialysis.
References: 1. Freedman BI, Burke W, Divers J, et al. Diagnosis, education, and care of patients with APOL1-associated nephropathy: a Delphi consensus and systematic review. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021;32(7):1765-1778. doi:10.1681/ASN.2020101399 2. Gribouval O, Boyer O, Knebelmann B, et al. APOL1 risk genotype in European steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and/or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis patients of different African ancestries. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2019;34(11):1885-1893. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfy176. 3. Köttgen A, et al. Genetics in chronic kidney disease: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int. 2022;101(6):1126-1141. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2022.03.019. 4. Ku E, Lipkowitz MS, Appel LJ, et al. Strict blood pressure control associates with decreased mortality risk by APOL1 genotype. Kidney Int. 2017;91(2):443-450. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2016.09.033 5. Robinson TW, Freedman BI. APOL1 genotype, blood pressure, and survival in African Americans with nondiabetic nephropathy. Kidney Int. 2017;91(2):276-278. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2016.10.027 6. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2018;138(17):e426-e483. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000597 7. Wright JT Jr, Whelton PK, Johnson KC, et al. SPRINT Revisited: Updated Results and Implications. Hypertension. 2021;78(6):1701-1710. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17682 8. Friedman DJ, Pollak MR. APOL1 and Kidney Disease: From Genetics to Biology. Annu Rev Physiol. 2020 Feb 10;82:323-342. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021119-034345.