SUMMARY
Research interests of Kenneth J. Warrington, M.D., include studies of disease pathogenesis, biomarker development, epidemiology studies and clinical trials in vasculitis. Specifically, he conducts research on giant cell arteritis; Takayasu's arteritis; aortitis; polyarteritis nodosa; anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis; vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome; and related conditions.
Focus areas
- Discovery of diagnostic biomarkers and markers of disease activity in people with vasculitis. Through collaboration with Cornelia M. Weyand M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Warrington is studying the pathogenesis of vasculitis (particularly giant cell arteritis) with a goal of identifying novel blood markers for earlier disease diagnosis as well as for monitoring of disease activity. He also collaborates with Jaeyun Sung, Ph.D., on studies of gene expression and protein levels in the blood and tissue. The focus of these multi-omic studies is to learn about the molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis vasculitis.
- Epidemiology studies in vasculitis. Dr. Warrington seeks to understand the trends in incidence, changes in diagnostic strategies and outcomes of people with giant cell arteritis and other forms of vasculitis. He also studies risk factors for vasculitis and disease-related complications. This work is conducted using resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project and in collaboration with Cynthia (Cindy) S. Crowson, Ph.D.
- Clinical trials for vasculitis. Through collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and with the national Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, Dr. Warrington leads clinical trials to evaluate novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of vasculitis, with a goal to discover safer, more effective treatments.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Warrington leads a research team that aims to improve the health and long-term outcomes of people with vasculitis and other rheumatic diseases. While recent advances in available treatments have improved outcomes in vasculitis, the disease burden and side effects of treatment remain ongoing concerns.
Through his research, Dr. Warrington hopes to develop better tools to diagnose patients with rare diseases — including vasculitis — sooner. He also aims to identify and develop newer therapies for vasculitis that will improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.
Professional highlights
- Section editor, UpToDate: Vasculitis, 2021-present.
- Steering committee member, Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, 2018-present.
- John F. Finn Minnesota Arthritis Foundation Professor, Mayo Clinic, 2018.