The organizers of this course are very excited with the approval and endorsement we received by the ERA-EDTA in offering this CME course in Nicosia, Cyprus, for the first time. As we are living through times that advancements in nephrology and related fields and technology are following one another at a very fast pace, we hope participants will find this course timely and rewarding.

 

The proposed CME course is oligothematic, focusing on three main issues, relating to immunonephrology, inherited forms of hematuria and medullary cystic kidney disease. It combines basic and clinical nephrology at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels, aimed to satisfy the average practising nephrologist as well as the more demanding academician/researcher.

Specifically:

 

1. Immunonephrology issues focused on IgA nephropathy and complement disorders, in view of recent advancements in understanding the pathophysiology and complex genetics of these conditions. The role of genetic susceptibility markers, genetic modifiers and modifiable factors and miRNAs will be discussed.

 

2. Inherited hematurias, in light of recent findings that unravel or enhance the role of immune or not immune-mediated causes (namely C3/CFHR5 glomerulopathy and collagen IV nephropathies, TBMN, Alport), for their contribution to chronic and more importantly to end-stage renal failure. A significant element is the genetic and clinical heterogeneity which will be emphasized and discussed during the course, with the aim to inform participants of the challenges and the options offered by recent advances in genetics. We also included a session on medullary cystic kidney disease, prompted by very recent revolutionary findings, especially the cloning of MCKD1/MUC1 gene that our group had first mapped.

 

3. The use of Eculizumab in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and perhaps other complement related glomerulopathies, as a new advance in kidney therapeutics. Prof. G. Remuzzi has accepted our invitation to present a keynote lecture on this topic.

 

In addition to formal lectures and time for discussion during the conference, five "Meet the Expert" sessions are included. Main aim of these sessions is to assist in informing practicing clinicians and provide time and opportunity for asking the experts, questions of every-day clinical practice on the presented topics. Finally, we hope that this event will foster networking of experts and younger researchers for establishing new collaborations and promoting the preparation and submission of new research proposals within the framework of the HORIZON 2020. To this end, a dedicated session has been scheduled before the closing of the CME course-conference (see program for details).

 

Prof. Constantinos Deltas                                                                                                      Dr Alkis Pierides