• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Kidney Disease / Understanding a Genetic Kidney Disease Known as APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)

Understanding a Genetic Kidney Disease Known as APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)

genetic kidney disease

Sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

African Americans account for 13% of the U.S. population. However, they are almost 4 times more likely to develop kidney failure than white Americans. There are many reasons for the greater occurrence of kidney failure in African Americans, including higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure and poorer access to healthcare. In addition, genetic variations that are more common in African Americans can increase the risk of kidney disease.¹

What is APOL1?

In 2010, scientists found that higher rates of severe kidney diseases in African Americans could be related to a gene called APOL1. Everyone has the APOL1 gene. It protects against a parasite called trypanosome, which can be found in parts of Africa.²

What is an APOL1 variant?

Some trypanosome parasites can cause a disease called African human trypanosomiasis, or “African sleeping sickness.” Having protection from African sleeping sickness is an advantage for people that live in areas where this parasite is found. Versions (called “variants”) of the APOL1 gene evolved to protect against African sleeping sickness. But APOL1 variants may increase risk of some forms of kidney disease.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

Today, people of recent African ancestry may carry these APOL1 variants. This includes people who identify as African American, Black, Caribbean, Sub-Saharan African, and Latino/Latina (Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or South or Central American).³

What is APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD)? 

AMKD is a severe type of kidney disease caused by certain APOL1 variants. It can lead to kidney damage and impair the kidneys’ ability to filter blood. This leads to high amounts of protein in the urine (or proteinuria) and decreases the kidneys’ ability to function. AMKD can cause symptoms such as fatigue, swelling in the legs and feet, and weight gain.³

Many people live with APOL1 variants and never develop kidney disease. But in some people, an infection or injury can trigger the kidney disease to progress. 

People who have more than one copy of an APOL1 variant are at greater risk of kidney disease. Nearly 1 in 5 people with two copies of the APOL1 variant will develop kidney disease and are also at higher risk of developing AMKD. Because you share some of your DNA with your blood relatives, APOL1-mediated kidney disease can be passed down through generations and can affect many people within the same family. 

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

How do you know if you have or are at risk of AMKD? 

There are a few tests that doctors use to assess risk for and diagnose AMKD. They may include blood and urine tests to check for proteinuria and to measure kidney function. A genetic blood test is also needed to see if a person has any APOL1 variants.³

How is AMKD treated?  

There are currently no approved treatments that address the underlying cause of AMKD. Managing symptoms is the current focus of treatment, including:

  • Prescription medicines to help control high blood pressure 
  • Diuretics to help the body get rid of extra fluid and salt 
  • High-dose steroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system to stop or slow the disease from progressing (because they often cause severe side effects, these medicines are only used for short periods of time) 

Even with treatment, people with AMKD almost always develop kidney failure. Kidney failure may be treated with regular, long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant, both of which require lifelong treatment and follow-up.³

What can I do to protect myself? 

You may not have symptoms in the early stages of AMKD, so it is important to see your doctor regularly and talk with your doctor about kidney health, any family history of kidney disease, and factors that may put you at risk of AMKD.4 Early detection of AMKD may help you and your doctor choose appropriate treatment, identify potential risk to other family members, and stop or slow more rapid disease progression. 

There are clinical studies underway that aim to address the underlying causes of AMKD. If you are diagnosed with AMKD, talk to your doctor to see if joining a study is right for you. 

At Vertex, we work on diseases where there is high unmet need for new treatments. Our scientists use their understanding of biology to research and discover potential medicines with the goal of treating the underlying cause of diseases, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). To learn more about Vertex, please visit vrtx.com/en-us. 

 

 

1 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Race, Ethnicity & Kidney Disease. Updated March 2014. Accessed March 18, 2021.

www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/race-ethnicity

2 Friedman DJ, Pollak MR. Genetics of kidney failure and the evolving story of APOL1. J Clin Invest. 2011;121(9):3367–74.

3 www.vrtx.com 

4 https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-research-and-education/causes-of-kidney-disease/apol/

October 24, 2022 by Blackdoctor

Read Next Article

The Latest In Kidney Disease

kidney injury

Kidney Disease Is Tougher on Men Than Women, But Why?

' Women tend to be better able than men to recover from kidney injury, but why? Apparently, women have an advantage at the molecular level that protects them from a form of cell death that occurs in injured kidneys, a read more about Kidney Disease Is Tougher on Men Than Women, But Why?

Your Genes and Your Kidney (Q&A)

Experts share how your genes impact kidney disease and what you can do about it. Why the focus on kidney disease? Dr. Egbuna: There is a disproportionate burden of the prevalence of kidney disease in patients of African ancestry compared read more about Your Genes and Your Kidney (Q&A)
microwave popcorn

With PFAS in Packaging, How Safe Is Microwave Popcorn?

Munching handfuls of microwave popcorn might be perfect for movie night, but your snack could be loading your body with potentially harmful "forever chemicals," experts warn. Many microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFAS (perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and evidence has read more about With PFAS in Packaging, How Safe Is Microwave Popcorn?
what does salt do to your body

6 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Consume Too Much Salt

What does salt do to your body? It should be no surprise to you that too much salt in your diet is a bad thing, however, you may not know exactly why. If you aren't aware of salt's impact on read more about 6 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Consume Too Much Salt
Foamy Urine Causes

Foamy Urine: The Symptom You Should Pay Attention To

After going to the bathroom, ever look back and see what your urine looks like? Sure, we've all done it from time to time, but what do you do if your urine looks foamy? Never thought about it? You're not read more about Foamy Urine: The Symptom You Should Pay Attention To
high blood pressure

Grammy Winner, Chart-Topping Producer – and Kidney Transplant Recipient

Brian Kennedy was living his dream. A piano prodigy, he moved from his hometown of Kansas City, Missoliduri, to Los Angeles in 2003, when he was 20. He started out as a musician for hire, playing a handful of instruments read more about Grammy Winner, Chart-Topping Producer – and Kidney Transplant Recipient

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!
  • Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!
  • John David Washington: “They Tried To Use My Name Against Me”John David Washington: "They Tried To Use My Name Against Me"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.