It’s all been building to this; the Blue Ribbon Panel has decreed a new NephMadness champion for 2026! Check out the Final Standings and share your reactions with #NephMadness!

Many thanks to Krithika Mohan @krithicism for the scoreboard graphics!

Team C3G Treatment had a magical run, but finally ran out of steam.  Team B-cell Modulators’ strong offense dominated the final match up. Team B-cell Modulator with the easy win.

B-cell Modulators wins 7-2

Comments from the BRP:

“Worthy final round. 2025-2026 will forever be known as the year IgA nephropathy became cool again. A year ago people had never heard of APRIL and now it’s the hottest topic. B cell therapies for the win!”

“This one was tough! I believe in the greatness of both of these teams and I do think that they both will make a substantial difference in how we care for patients with IgA Nephropathy and C3G. Both teams have FDA-approved treatments for their respective conditions, which makes this choice even harder. However, at the end C3G edges out IgA Nephropathy for me because there is an FDA-approved medication for children 12 years and older with C3GN (pegcetacoplan), while there isn’t one yet approved for children with IgA Nephropathy.”

“For me the research shows great promise with proteinuria reduction which is a common cause for kidney disease.”

“The science behind C3G therapies are exciting, but ultimately, a cure for IgA is on the horizon. IgA therapies for the win!”

“These therapies get us as close to a cure for kidney disease as we have ever been. Now we need to focus on both implementation and on repeating the IgA story in other types of kidney diseases.”

Winners will be announced next week!

Click to read the full IgA Nephropathy Region

COMMENTARY BY SONG ONG AND DANA RIZK: A future so bright you gotta wear shades

COMMENTARY BY JONATHAN BARRATT: The Bench is Loaded, but is There a Clear Star?

Did you miss any of the results? Catch up here: 

Current Standings | Match Results | Effluent 8 | Filtered 4 | Left & Right Kidneys

#NephMadness | #NephMadness  

Reminder:

US-based physicians can earn 1.0 CME credit and 1.0 MOC per region through NKF PERC (detailed instructions here). The CME and MOC activity will expire on June 1, 2026.