Diabetic kidney disease samples, data available

The National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, Maryland), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (New York), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta) reported the availability of the largest single collection of biosamples and data for research on the genetic causes of kidney disease in Type 1 diabetes.

The Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) collection has nearly 10,000 DNA, serum, plasma and urine samples, plus genetic and clinical data, from more than 1,700 adults with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. and Canada. Of those, 818 have had diabetes at least 10 years and have developed kidney disease, a common complication of diabetes. The other 893 have had diabetes at least 15 years but do not have kidney disease. Also in the collection are data and samples from 1,096 parents (548 sets).

Researchers can apply for DNA, extensive clinical data and some genetic data from GoKinD at www.gokind.org/access; serum, plasma and urine samples will be made available later. Methods of treatment, insulin doses, complications, smoking history and other data have been documented for all GoKinD participants. Also, DNA has been genotyped for genes known to predispose to Type 1 diabetes. To protect the privacy of patients and families, researchers do not have access to names and other identifying information.

Majority believe clinical research safe

Two-thirds (66%) of those polled in a new survey think that clinical research studies are safe for those who participate, according to The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP; Boston) and Opinion Dynamics (ODC; Cambridge, Massachusetts).

In a survey conducted by CISCRP-ODC, the results showed that more than half (57%) of respondents would have greater trust in clinical research information if the results were made available on a public web site or registry. The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted Dec. 14-15 to gain insight into public perceptions about the clinical research process following recent media attention on the safety of widely used prescription medications.

Roni Thaler, president of CISCRP, said, “Government agencies and research sponsors are evaluating and implementing initiatives in an effort to provide greater transparency to address concerns raised by the medical community, policymakers, the public and the media.“

ChondroGene in collaboration with Pfizer

ChondroGene (Toronto) reported that it has entered a new two-year research collaboration with Pfizer (New York) for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the treatment and diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). This collaboration will continue the work in two research programs that were initiated in the first company collaboration with Pfizer that started in October 2002.

The collaboration provides Pfizer with access to ChondroGene's database of osteoarthritis tissue-specific clinical and gene expression information to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for OA. The agreement also will allow ChondroGene to accelerate its OA biomarker research program. Development of new biomarkers is essential for the early diagnosis of OA as well as for validating the effectiveness of potential disease-modifying therapies for OA, the company said.

The two-year collaboration is valued at up to $7.35 million, compared to $4.7 million for the initial collaboration.