Kidneys and cancer

Advancing research at the intersection of kidney disease and cancer

The relationship between kidneys and cancer is complex, spanning many diseases, biological pathways and clinical settings.  Despite this, it has historically been both under-recognised and underfunded as a research area.  

Kidney Research UK is prioritising this space to accelerate progress in understanding the links between kidney disease and cancer, and to improve outcomes for patients. 

Advances in cancer treatments have transformed survival, but many therapies carry a significant risk of kidney damage. Up to one in five people receiving certain cancer treatments can experience acute kidney injury, and some go on to develop long term kidney disease or kidney failure. There is also limited evidence to guide treatment decisions for patients with kidney disease that experience cancer. 

People living with kidney disease face an increased risk of developing certain cancers and often experience poorer outcomes. This includes individuals receiving dialysis or living with a transplant. The mechanisms driving this risk are not completely understood, meaning patients with kidney disease are missing out on novel therapies and personalised treatments. 

Kidney cancer is now the sixth most common cancer in the UK, with numbers increasing.  It is often diagnosed at a late stage due to a lack of early symptoms and the absence of simple screening tools, highlighting a clear need for improved early detection and risk stratification approaches.