Kidney research, 2026-08-31

Some common drugs may help protect kidneys in specific situations, but more research is needed

• Article C Slowing decline
  SGLT2 inhibitors, often used for diabetes, were linked to lower protein in urine among liver cancer patients on certain cancer drugs, though the study design means causation isn't proven.
• Article C Slowing decline
  Inactivity and depression together were tied to about double the risk of developing chronic kidney disease over seven years in a large Chinese study, but it does not prove cause and effect.
• Article C People & money
  A rare but serious kidney injury was reported in a few patients taking nintedanib for lung scarring, with unclear role of SGLT2 inhibitors—doctors have no standard plan yet.
• Article C People & money
  A review of kidney care in Saudi Arabia highlights big gaps, especially for people with diabetes or high blood pressure, which are top causes of kidney decline.

Today's findings focus on how existing medications—especially SGLT2 inhibitors—might influence kidney outcomes in special cases, though most evidence is observational and not definitive. A large Chinese study adds to the understanding of lifestyle and mental health factors in kidney disease risk, while another review points to systemic challenges in care delivery. Several reports describe rare or complex kidney issues where clear answers are still lacking.