Comprehensive advancements in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy: A narrative review

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common and severe complication of diabetes mellitus and is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. Despite current treatments, many individuals with DN progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. The advancement in our understanding of the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy has led to the development of new prevention and treatment strategies. We comprehensively reviewed the literature on advances in the prevention and treatment of DN. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles published between 2000 and 2023, using keywords such as “diabetic nephropathy,” “prevention,” “treatment,” and “recent advances.” The recent advances in the prevention and treatment of DN include novel approaches targeting inflammation and fibrosis, such as inhibitors of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) pathway, inhibitors of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Other promising strategies include stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and artificial intelligence–based approaches, such as predictive models based on machine learning algorithms that can identify individuals at high risk of developing DN and guide personalized treatment strategies. Combination therapies targeting multiple disease pathways may also offer the most significant potential for improving outcomes for individuals with DN. Overall, the recent advances in the prevention and treatment of DN represent promising avenues for future research and clinical development. Novel therapies targeting inflammation and fibrosis, stem cell and gene therapies, and artificial intelligence–based approaches all show great potential for improving outcomes for individuals with DN.