C3G and the Pediatric VALIANT Study (++)

Bradley Dixon, MD, a pediatric nephrologist, and Chief of Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, discussed complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) with CheckRare. Complement 3 glomerulopathy (or C3G) is a form of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory process. It occurs when the complement system, which is a key part of the body’s defenses to fight off bacterial and viral infection, is continually engaged. When this occurs, plasma complement fragments are deposited in the glomerulus, creating inflammation and disrupting glomerular function. At this point, the clinical features of C3G are apparent, including hematuria and proteinuria. As it is a rare disorder, it is not regularly taught during medical training, and primary care physicians will not typically see several patients with C3G. Therefore, it will not often be in the forefront of clinician’s mind when confronted with symptoms associated with C3G. Primarily a disease of the young, pediatricians may easily mistake it for other conditions, such as postinfectious (or infection-related) glomerulonephritis, which typically follows a streptococcal infection. The microscopic appearance of biopsy samples from patients with C3G may even look similar to those with postinfectious glomerulonephritis. The VALIANT trial was a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan in 124 adolescent and adult patients with either C3G or the related disorder primary immune-complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN). The primary endpoint was to determine this complement 3 inhibitor’s effect on proteinuria. After 26 weeks of treatment, pegcetacoplan was associated with a 68% relative reduction in the urinary protein:creatinine ratio, the indicator of proteinuria, compared with the individuals receiving placebo. The study drug was not associated with a safety profile that was significantly different from that observed in the placebo group. A longer-term extension study demonstrated that the proteinuria reduction is maintained, along with kidney function, through at least 52 weeks. “Improvement in proteinuria really does herald long-term benefit,” stated Dr. Dixon. “The longer we see preservation of GFR, the more confident we are that these drugs will be effective over the long term.” The VALIANT data support that blocking C3 has dramatic benefits by limiting complement deposition in the glomerulus in both adolescent and adults with C3G. With earlier intervention, long-term damage to kidney function may be prevented. Dr. Dixon commented that although pegcetacoplan was effective in patients ages 12 years or greater, there is still an urgent need for treatment of younger patients, for which no effective treatment is approved. He added that since we are all born with a fixed number of glomeruli, kidney damage in young patients means their reserve of kidney function later in life will be limited. In his experience, 50% of patients with C3G will experience a halving of their kidney function within 10 years, and will need dialysis and/or a kidney transplant. C3G and the Pediatric VALIANT Study (Full Program)

De-escalation of Surgery Safe for Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer Nancy A. Melville

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/de-escalation-surgery-safe-low-risk-thyroid-cancer-2026a10016ol?src= PHILADELPHIA — Patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer treated with the less invasive approach of thyroid lobectomy vs total thyroidectomy, as recommended in American Thyroid Association (ATA) de-escalation guidelines from 2015, show no significant increases in the risk for disease recurrence, new research found.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Hope: Faith Communities Celebrating National Recovery Month

The U.S. Age-Adjusted Death Rate Reached a Record Low in 2025: What Drove the Decline?

https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/death-rate-record-low The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) recently released new analysis examining America’s record-low overall age-adjusted death rate in 2025 and substantial progress in reducing prescription opioid exposure and expanding treatment. The ASPE report, The U.S. Age-Adjusted Death Rate Reached a Record Low in 2025: What Drove the Decline?, and accompanying analysis, Two Opioid Policy Trends Are Moving in the Right Direction: Sustaining a Decade of Progress, highlight how actions across President Trump’s two terms to reduce unnecessary opioid prescribing, combat illicit fentanyl, and strengthen treatment and recovery have led opioid-related deaths in the United States to plummet to the lowest since President Trump declared a public health emergency in 2017. In January 2026, President Trump established the Great American Recovery to better align federal programs and integrate prevention, treatment, recovery support, and reentry across systems. HHS Faith Center Director Monty Burks is the Executive Director of the Great American Recovery. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-reports-opioid-deaths-lowest-nearly-decade.html

Fostering and Faith: Partnerships to Serve Families

On Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith held a webinar, 'Fostering and Faith: Partnerships to Serve Families', on how government seeks to partner with faith communities making a difference for foster youth in America.

Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith convened a webinar on how faith communities, caregivers, families, and community partners are supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias titled, "Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia: How Faith Communities Can Support Individuals, Caregivers, and Families" on October 28, 2026.

A Community for Every Child: Strengthening Families Together Fecha y hora 18 nov 2026 04:00 p. m.

https://hhsgov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RfHA8YqQSiyG6zfB7gxahg#/registration November is National Adoption Month and the HHS Faith Center will lead a discussion on the community coming together and caring for children and families by building lasting relationships, and providing encouragement and support for the webinar, ‘ A Community for Every Child: Strengthening Families Together’ on November 18th, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET on Zoom.