Influenza vaccination is associated with lower risk of renal cell carcinoma among chronic kidney disease patients: a population-based cohort study

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients possess a higher risk for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) possibly because of related underlying inflammation and immune dysregulation. In the current population-based cohort study, we evaluate the effects of influenza vaccination on RCC among CKD patients. Methods We analyzed the vaccinated and unvaccinated CKD patients (≥55 years old) identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. Propensity score matching was used to reduce the selection bias. Sub-group analyses based on comorbid conditions, dialysis status and vaccinated dosages were also conducted. Results The incidence of RCC reduced significantly in the vaccinated compared with unvaccinated group (unadjusted HR 0.50 (95% CI, 0.31, 0.81; p Conclusion This population-based cohort study found a significant inverse relationship between influenza vaccination and the risk of RCC in CKD patients and the protective effects were more prominent in the aged group > 75. A possible relation exists between total number of vaccination and RCC events. Future randomized clinical and basic studies will be needed to prove these findings and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.