PROJECT SUMMARY - OVERALL
Kidney stone disease (nephrolithiasis) is characterized by painful, recurrent symptomatic events and is rising
disproportionately in youth. Structural and scientific barriers have impeded strengthening the evidence base for
management of pediatric kidney stone disease. The overarching objective of the Personalizing Outcomes of
Nephrolithiasis in Youth (PONY) P20 Center is to generate knowledge that improves outcomes for youth with
nephrolithiasis through an intentional and focused initiative to accelerate the research careers of early-stage
investigators and thereby enhance the benign urology research community. To achieve this mission, this
proposal strengthens partnerships among Dr. Gregory Tasian (PI at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr
Jonathan Ellison (early-stage investigator at Children’s Wisconsin), Dr. David Chu (early-stage investigator at
Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago), and Dr. Jing Huang (biostatistician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
In the proposed PONY P20 Center, we address critical structural and scientific barriers that have impeded
strengthening the evidence base for management of pediatric nephrolithiasis. We will accomplish our objectives
by leveraging the resources generated by Dr. Tasian’s research program, in particular the robust infrastructure
of the Pediatric KIDney Stone (PKIDS) Care Improvement Network and data generated by the NIDDK-supported
Urinary Stone Disease Research Network. Central to the PONY P20 Center is the PKIDS Care Improvement
Network, which will support the Research Project and provide the means to disseminate the knowledge
generated by the research directly into real-world care. In Aim 1, we will generate new knowledge responsive to
patient-identified gaps in kidney stone research by conducting two distinct but complementary research studies
that use data from PKIDS trial, the Prevention of Urinary Stones with Hydration (PUSH) trial, and the STudy to
Enhance uNderstanding of sTent-associated Symptoms (STENTS). In Aim 2, we will accelerate the research
careers of early-stage investigators in benign urology. The Administrative Core will create opportunities for Drs.
Ellison and Chu to lead the execution of the Research Project through operational and logistical support as well
as data access. PKIDS will also provide the scientific environment to support the R01 applications led by Drs.
Ellison and Chu that will arise from the Research Project. In Aim 3, the PONY P20 Center will enhance the
benign urology research community. We will share our expertise in stakeholder (particularly patient and
caregiver) engagement with members of CAIRIBU other benign urologic researchers. We will participate in
existing CAIRIBU forums by contributing our lessons learned on stakeholder engagement in clinical investigation,
patient-centered trial design, and conceptual innovations in learning health systems. Overall, the PONY P20
Center will generate knowledge that addresses critical priorities identified by youth with nephrolithiasis and
accelerates the career of early-stage investigators who will be leaders in benign urological research.