On June 10th, 2025, the final meeting of the RESPECT project took place at the Mario Negri Institute in Bergamo, Italy. This annual gathering marked the culmination of the project’s efforts, during which the latest advancements were presented, and the remaining tasks were discussed.
Although the funding period from various supporting entities has come to an end, the project consortium remains dedicated to achieving all of its objectives. The collaboration will continue until all planned outcomes are met, with a strong focus on advancing the scientific insights and innovations initiated through the RESPECT project.
The meeting also highlighted the launch of a new initiative building on the achievements of RESPECT. The PERSONALISED-DKD project, set to begin shortly, will bring together a similar consortium to further explore critical research in Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD).
Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but not all diabetic patients develop DKD, with each patient following a unique disease trajectory. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have demonstrated significant nephroprotective benefits and have become first-line treatment for DKD. However, the mechanisms behind individual responses are still not fully understood. Early identification of patients who will benefit from SGLT2i treatment is key for effective management and cost-efficiency. As a result, there is an urgent need for biomarkers that are both highly specific and sensitive to disease progression and treatment response. Renal multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and biomarkers such as metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) are promising tools to assess the effects of SGLT2i on kidney pathways. Refining methodologies, identifying optimal biomarker combinations, and providing multi-centre evidence are essential to confirm initial findings.
Key investigators of the PERSONALISED-DKD project include several of the Principal Investigators (PIs) from RESPECT, such as: Anna Caroli, Christoffer Laustsen, Frank G. Zoellner, Constantin Suciu, and Maria A. Fernandez Seara.
As the RESPECT project concludes, the collaborative spirit between researchers and institutions remains strong, and new projects like PERSONALISED-DKD will continue to drive vital research in the field of diabetic kidney disease!!