Kidney Regenerative Medicine: Promises and Limitations

Purpose of Review Advances in renal regenerative medicine are crucial to address the increased rate of kidney disease. Clinicians and researchers are investigating new renal therapeutics aimed at promoting endogenous repair and/or at designing new technologies for organ and tissue regeneration. This review explores the potential promises and limitations of recent renal regenerative medicine approaches. Recent Findings Current research directions include efforts to delay and deter acute and chronic kidney disease progression by exploiting the immune-modulatory and tissue regenerative properties of pharmacology agents, stem cells, and extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, advancement of novel technologies in the field of xenotransplantation, and transplantable devices are showing progress towards the design of de novo replacement organs. With integrated collaborations of multiple disciplinaries, improvements in novel technologies, and understanding of kidney disease progression, the field of renal regenerative medicine is progressing forward with promising therapeutic potential.