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Keeping Pace With Advancements in IgAN
Keeping Pace With Advancements in IgAN Care: Strategies to Help Your Team Translate the Latest Evidence Into Practice

Released: March 21, 2025

Expiration: March 20, 2026

Pietro Canetta
Pietro Canetta, MD, MS
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Key Takeaways
  • Healthcare professionals should stay informed of the latest advancements in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) management by turning to expert resources that are frequently updated.
  • A structured patient education plan that incorporates multiple approaches, including written materials, online resources, and interprofessional experts, should be developed to support treatment adherence and long-term outcomes.
  • Healthcare professionals should balance enthusiasm for new treatments with informed and shared decision-making to ensure care plans align with evidence-based and patient-centered care. 

We have seen a dramatic change in the number and types of available therapies for treating immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) over the last several years, which is a great boon for patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, with the rate that new developments are being introduced, HCPs face the challenge of keeping up with evolving practice. Guidelines are not always able to keep pace with potentially paradigm-changing therapies and may be out of date soon after they are published. In this context, we need to consider strategies to help interprofessional healthcare teams that care for patients with IgAN in translating new evidence into practice to optimize care. So, what are some strategies for doing this?

Staying Current With Advances in IgAN Care
I think translating new evidence into practice starts with the nephrologist or main person who will see the patient. They need a plan for ongoing self-education to stay on top of the evolving literature and emerging treatments. Relying on textbooks or review articles may no longer be sufficient because these materials may become outdated quickly. Instead, interprofessional teams should take advantage of more dynamic educational resources. For example, continuing education programs, like those offered by Clinical Care Options, provide timely updates highlighting advances that are relevant to practice in formats that are manageable and accessible.

Courses are also worth attending because their content is updated continuously, so they should present the newest, most relevant knowledge. Professional organizations, including the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), offer excellent preconference courses on glomerular diseases, and Columbia University offers a renal biopsy course every summer. Other topical continuing education opportunities include easily accessible videos from experts in the field to help HCPs stay current with developments.

Beyond formal education, identify a “point-person”, whether it’s a center of excellence or a particular nephrologist in your group, who you can go to for help. Not all nephrologists have the capacity to focus exclusively on IgAN, so a go-to expert can be a reliable resource for interpreting new clinical trial data and evaluating emerging treatments. This expert also can provide guidance on challenging cases, ensuring that difficult clinical decisions are made with the most current knowledge available, and may even provide help enrolling eligible patients in clinical trials.

Considerations for Using New IgAN Treatments in Practice
One of the most practical challenges in applying the latest IgAN therapies is ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays. New drug approvals bring promise, but they may also introduce logistical barriers such as insurance-related hurdles, prior authorization requirements, and the need for patient education. Having a medication access specialist within the nephrology team can greatly facilitate the implementation of new therapies. For example, in our practice, a nurse practitioner manages prescriptions, prior authorizations, and communication with dispensing pharmacies, and the same person provides patients with extra assistance to enable access to and/or reimbursement for treatment (ie, copay and patient assistance programs). Having an expert to efficiently navigate challenges related to treatment access and ensure patients get timely access to their treatment makes providing personalized care much easier for HCPs and patients alike.

It is also important that nephrology teams know in advance about specific requirements regarding the use of new treatments for IgAN. For example, iptacopan is a recently approved complement factor B inhibitor that requires certain vaccinations before treatment initiation, so having streamlined processes for vaccination referrals could help patients start treatment more quickly. Injectable medications may also require patient training, which can be facilitated by a nurse educator who can guide patients in administering their medications correctly. By planning for these logistical challenges, nephrology teams can smooth the treatment process and improve patient adherence.

Enhancing Patient Education and Engagement
While HCPs work to stay informed, it is equally important for patients to understand their disease and treatment options. Engaging patients in their care is essential for improving adherence and long-term outcomes.

Providing patients with high-quality educational materials can reinforce in-office discussions. Written handouts that summarize treatment options, links to reliable online resources, and referrals to patient support groups, such as the IgA Nephropathy Foundation or NKF, can empower patients to take an active role in their care. Education does not have to be limited to one-on-one conversations with their physician; nurse educators, pharmacists, and dietitians also can contribute to this need by addressing the specific aspects of IgAN care they manage.

A multidisciplinary approach can be particularly beneficial for addressing lifestyle modifications and disease management strategies with patients. Dietitians play a key role in educating patients with IgAN about nutritional considerations, like sodium restriction and optimal protein intake, which can support kidney health. Nurse educators can reinforce treatment adherence strategies, monitor for side effects, and answer questions outside of regularly scheduled appointments. By integrating multiple HCPs into the patient education process, nephrology teams can ensure patients receive well-rounded and comprehensive support.

Being Thoughtful When Managing IgAN
The fundamental principles of IgAN care remain unchanged despite the introduction of new therapies. Chronic kidney disease management remains important and striving to alter the immunologic aspect of the disease continues to be a part of what we do. Researchers are developing newer and better tools for us to use, but the core principles have not changed. HCPs should keep these principles in mind when implementing new therapies into practice.

Most IgAN cases progress slowly, meaning there is often time for HCPs to evaluate their options carefully and take a thoughtful approach, where the latest evidence is applied in a way that aligns with each patient’s unique clinical scenario. The goal is to make informed and evidence-based decisions to provide optimal care.

Your Thoughts?
How often do you access continuing medical education on IgAN to keep abreast of the shifting treatment landscape? You can get involved in the discussion by answering the polling question and posting a comment below.

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How often do you access continuing medical education on IgAN to keep abreast of the ever-evolving treatment landscape?

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