Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Therapies

Autosomal Dominant Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common gene disorder affecting the kidney. It is thought that the disease needs at least two factors for it to appear. This literature review aims to showcase the current and upcoming disease therapies to show the outlook of this disease. This literature review took sources from PubMed and other reliable sources to formulate how the disease works, which parts of the body are affected, and how the therapies work. The results revealed that ADPKD is often based on the genes PKD1 and PKD2, which encode proteins that form a probable receptor/channel complex. Loss of function from these genes can cause cyst formation. Many minor genes may cause a similar effect. The current therapy and treatment options include a change of lifestyle, dialysis, and surgery. The only current drug approved by the FDA is tolvaptan. Unfortunately, many side effects of tolvaptan limit its usefulness to a narrow range of patients. Therefore, I researched the new and upcoming therapies to analyze the outlook of this disease. In conclusion, based on the variety of promising incoming research and therapies, the outlook of ADPKD is positive, where more patients can be treated.