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We are extremely proud to highlight Dr. Rupali Avasare as our NephCure Specialist of the month for September. This initiative recognizes the outstanding contributions of NephCure Specialists to the field of nephrology and spotlights their work, projects, accomplishments, and valuable advice for the rare kidney disease (RKD) patient community.
Dr. Rupali Avasare is the Director of the Glomerular Disease Program and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Oregon Health & Science University. She strives to provide her glomerular disease patients with the best care possible through up-to-date disease education, shared decision-making, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Avasare completed her training in nephrology and glomerular diseases at Columbia University in New York City. In her research laboratory, Dr. Avasare studies mechanisms of kidney autoimmunity, specifically T cell responses to kidney antigens. She is passionate about her research and hopes it will help answer questions about why certain people develop autoimmunity and how to treat autoimmunity to prevent kidney disease.
C3G Awareness Day is September 25th. To help patients and families better understand C3G and what’s ahead, NephCure sat down with Dr. Avasare to answer a few key questions about the disease.
We asked Dr. Avasare to explain what C3G is and how it affects the kidneys. She shared:
“C3 glomerulopathy is a form of kidney disease that occurs when an arm of the immune system called the ‘alternative complement pathway’ becomes overactive, causing inflammation and injury in both kidneys. Some patients do not have any symptoms while others have leg swelling, tea-colored urine, or kidney failure. In some cases, overactivation of the complement system is due to genetic variants or immune reactions against complement proteins, but in most cases the cause is unknown. C3G is diagnosed through a combination of blood and urine tests, kidney biopsy, and complement system evaluation.”
In 2025, two medications for C3G—Fabhalta and Empaveli—received FDA approval. We asked Dr. Avasare what’s next for C3G and what these advances could mean for patients. She shared:
“Previously, there were no FDA-approved therapies for C3G and patients were treated with nonspecific therapies, including various immunosuppressive drugs. Now, we have two FDA-approved therapies for C3G that work by targeting different components of the alternative complement pathway. In clinical trials, these therapies have been shown to reduce urine protein leakage and/or slow the loss of kidney function. In some cases, these therapies can also decrease C3-related activity in the kidney. These advances offer new hope for patients with C3G.”
We asked Dr. Avasare what advice she would offer patients and families navigating the emotional challenges of living with a rare, chronic disease. She shared:
“Having a rare kidney disease can feel overwhelming. Working with a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about C3G, or who has access to a glomerular disease program, is very helpful. Strategies for coping with kidney disease vary from person to person and may include bringing a support person to healthcare visits, engaging with rare kidney disease advocacy groups like NephCure, and empowering yourself through education.”
Join NephCure in recognizing C3G Awareness Day on September 25th. Learn more about C3G, connect with others in the community, explore recent treatment advances, and discover trusted resources and support by visiting the campaigns landing page: https://nephcure.org/event/c3g-awareness-day-2026/
For more information about NephCure Specialists and to find a rare kidney disease experts in your area visit, NephCure’s Find A Specialist Page
