Dose-response association between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk differs according to glycemic status

Previous studies suggested an association between alcohol consumption and reduced kidney cancer risk. Given a potential interaction between alcohol’s insulin-sensitising effect and hyperglycemia-related insulin resistance, researchers assessed whether the dose-response association between alcohol intake and kidney cancer risk varies based on glycemic status.
This nationwide cohort study analysed data from 9,492,331 adults who underwent a national health screening program in 2009 and were followed until 2018. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models were applied to estimate the hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Over a median follow-up period of 8.3 years, 12,381 participants were diagnosed with kidney cancer. A U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk was observed among individuals with normoglycemia (light-to-moderate; HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99 and heavy; HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91-1.09, respectively). In prediabetic individuals, alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with kidney cancer risk. In individuals with diabetes, a dose-dependent increase in kidney cancer risk was noted with higher alcohol consumption (light-to-moderate consumption: HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22; heavy consumption: HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09-1.42).
A modest U-shaped dose-response association between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk was observed exclusively in individuals with normoglycemia. Individuals with diabetes demonstrated a dose-dependent increased risk of kidney cancer with higher alcohol consumption. Tailored patient education and personalised risk assessments regarding alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk should be emphasised over a generalized ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
Source: Park JH, Hong JY, Han K, Shen JJ, Park SH. (2025) Dose-response association between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk differs according to glycemic status: A Nationwide Cohort Study of 9.4 Million Individuals. Cancer Res Treat