The potential association between influenza vaccination and lower incidence of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

It is well-established that kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma (RCC) occurs more commonly in chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in the general population though the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Beyond hereditary RCC syndromes; smoking, obesity and hypertension are widely known risk factors for RCC, irrespective of CKD. Kidney-specific factors such as episodes of acute kidney injury, nephrolithiasis and cyst formation have also been shown to be associated with RCC development. One potential and lesser explored factor is the role of viruses in development of kidney cancer. In this issue of CKJ, Lin et al raise the interesting hypothesis that influenza vaccination may be associated with lower incidence of RCC in adults with CKD. We discuss potential mechanisms underlying this interesting observation in the context of immune dysregulation in CKD.