High-intensity exercise is a risk factor for renal medullary carcinoma in individuals with sickle cell trait

Abstract

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) predominantly occurs in individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT). We found that patients with RMC more frequently participated in high-intensity exercise than matched controls, and renal medullary hypoxia significantly increased predominantly in the right kidney of mice with SCT following high- but not moderate-intensity exercise, consistent with the distinct predilection of RMC toward the right kidney. These results establish high-intensity exercise as a risk factor for RMC in individuals with SCT.