Researchers tested whether a diabetes medication called canagliflozin could help prevent kidney cancer in laboratory rats. The drug is normally used to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. In this study, rats were given chemicals to create kidney cancer, then treated with canagliflozin. The results showed the drug reduced damage to the kidneys, lowered inflammation, and helped trigger cancer cell death. While these findings are promising, this research was done in animals, so more testing in humans is needed before doctors could use this approach to treat kidney cancer patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a diabetes medication called canagliflozin could prevent or slow kidney cancer development in laboratory rats
  • Who participated: 24 male laboratory rats divided into 4 groups: a healthy control group, a group with induced kidney cancer (no treatment), and two treatment groups receiving different doses of canagliflozin
  • Key finding: Rats treated with canagliflozin showed reduced kidney damage, less inflammation, stronger antioxidant protection, and increased cancer cell death compared to untreated cancer rats
  • What it means for you: This suggests canagliflozin may have potential as a kidney cancer treatment, but this is early-stage research in animals. Humans with kidney cancer should not change their treatment based on this study alone—more research is needed before clinical use

The Research Details

This was a laboratory experiment using rats to test whether canagliflozin could prevent kidney cancer. Researchers first created kidney cancer in rats using specific chemicals (DEN and TAA) over several months. They also fed some rats a special diet lacking choline to make the cancer development more realistic. Once cancer was established, they gave some rats canagliflozin (a diabetes drug) at two different doses while others received no treatment. The study lasted 29 weeks total, with the drug treatment given during the final 6 weeks.

After the study ended, researchers examined the rats’ kidneys under microscopes and tested their blood and tissue samples to measure various markers of cancer, inflammation, and cellular damage. They looked for specific proteins and molecules that indicate whether cancer cells were dying or growing.

This type of animal study is important because it allows researchers to test whether a drug might work against cancer before trying it in humans. Using rats helps scientists understand the biological mechanisms—the specific ways a drug might fight cancer—without risking human safety. The controlled laboratory setting lets researchers carefully measure exactly what’s happening in the body.

This study has both strengths and limitations. Strengths include careful control of variables, multiple measurement methods (blood tests, tissue examination, and protein analysis), and clear documentation of procedures. Limitations include the small sample size (24 rats), the use of animals rather than humans, and the artificial way cancer was created. Animal studies don’t always produce the same results in humans, so these findings need confirmation in human trials before clinical application.

What the Results Show

Canagliflozin treatment significantly reduced markers of kidney damage and oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions) in the rats’ kidneys. The drug boosted the kidneys’ natural antioxidant defenses—essentially the body’s built-in protection system against cellular damage. Treated rats showed lower levels of inflammatory molecules, particularly IL-6, which is a chemical messenger that promotes inflammation and cancer growth.

The drug activated a protein called AMPK, which acts like a cellular energy regulator and has anti-cancer properties. At the same time, canagliflozin suppressed the NLRP3 and STAT3 pathways, which are signaling systems that promote inflammation and cancer cell survival. Microscopic examination of kidney tissue confirmed these biochemical findings, showing less cancer-related damage in treated rats.

Immunohistochemistry (a specialized staining technique) revealed that canagliflozin increased caspase-3, a protein that triggers cancer cell death, while decreasing PCNA, a protein associated with cancer cell growth and division. These changes suggest the drug was actively fighting the cancer at the cellular level.

The study found dose-dependent effects, meaning the higher dose of canagliflozin (20 mg/kg) generally produced stronger protective effects than the lower dose (10 mg/kg). This suggests there may be an optimal dosing strategy. The drug appeared to work through multiple mechanisms simultaneously—reducing inflammation, boosting antioxidant defenses, and triggering cancer cell death—rather than through a single pathway. This multi-pronged approach may be why the results were relatively strong.

Previous research suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors (the drug class canagliflozin belongs to) might slow cancer cell growth in cancers that express SGLT2 proteins. This study provides mechanistic evidence supporting that idea specifically for kidney cancer. However, most prior research focused on diabetes benefits rather than cancer prevention, so this application is relatively novel. The findings align with emerging evidence that some diabetes medications may have anti-cancer properties beyond their primary use.

This research has several important limitations. First, it was conducted entirely in laboratory rats, not humans, so results may not translate directly to people. Second, the sample size was small (only 24 rats total), which limits statistical power. Third, kidney cancer was artificially induced using chemicals rather than occurring naturally, which may not perfectly mimic human disease. Fourth, the study only examined short-term treatment (6 weeks), so long-term effects are unknown. Finally, the study didn’t compare canagliflozin to standard kidney cancer treatments, so we don’t know how it would perform against existing therapies.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal study, canagliflozin shows promise as a potential kidney cancer treatment, but the evidence is preliminary. Current recommendation level: VERY LOW for clinical use. People with kidney cancer should continue following their oncologist’s treatment recommendations. Researchers should conduct further studies in human cell cultures and eventually clinical trials before considering canagliflozin as a kidney cancer therapy. People with diabetes taking canagliflozin should not expect cancer prevention benefits based on this single animal study.

Kidney cancer researchers and pharmaceutical companies should pay attention to these findings as they suggest a new potential application for an existing drug. People with type 2 diabetes taking canagliflozin may find this interesting but shouldn’t change their treatment. People with kidney cancer should not pursue this treatment outside of clinical trials. Oncologists may want to monitor emerging research in this area.

In this animal study, protective effects appeared within 6 weeks of treatment. However, human kidney cancer develops and progresses differently than chemically-induced cancer in rats. If canagliflozin were to be tested in humans, it would likely take several years of clinical trials to determine safety and effectiveness. Any potential clinical use is likely 5-10+ years away.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For users interested in kidney health: track weekly kidney function markers if available (creatinine levels, eGFR) and monitor inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein through regular blood work. Note any changes in urinary symptoms or kidney-related discomfort.
  • Users taking canagliflozin for diabetes should maintain consistent medication adherence and track blood sugar levels as prescribed. Users interested in kidney cancer prevention should focus on modifiable risk factors: maintain healthy weight, avoid smoking, manage blood pressure, and stay hydrated. Log these lifestyle factors in the app alongside any medication use.
  • Establish a quarterly check-in system to review kidney function tests with healthcare providers. Track medication compliance, blood sugar control, and kidney-related symptoms monthly. Create alerts for annual kidney health screenings. For those with family history of kidney cancer, document screening recommendations from oncologists.

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. These findings are preliminary and should not be used to guide treatment decisions. People with kidney cancer should consult with their oncologist about appropriate treatment options. People taking canagliflozin for diabetes should not expect cancer prevention benefits based on this study. Anyone considering changes to their cancer treatment or diabetes management should discuss this research with their healthcare provider. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.