- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Stanford Researchers Develop Novel Approach to Kidney Stone Prevention
New drug therapies target low citrate levels, a key factor in stone formation.
Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:03pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Researchers at Stanford Medicine are focusing on a new approach to preventing kidney stones before they form. Led by Dr. Alan Pao, the team is developing drugs that specifically target and raise citrate levels without the unwanted side effect of increasing urine pH, a common issue with existing treatments. This research aims to offer hope to individuals who currently have limited options for preventing future kidney stone episodes.
Why it matters
Kidney stones are a debilitating condition that affects roughly 1 in 10 people, with recurrent stones posing a relentless cycle of discomfort, emergency room visits, and surgical interventions. The Stanford team's research represents a significant step forward in addressing a key factor in stone formation - low levels of citrate - which affects up to half of all kidney stone patients.
The details
Citrate acts as a natural deterrent to kidney stone formation by binding to calcium and keeping it dissolved, allowing it to be safely eliminated from the body. However, many kidney stone patients have unusually low citrate levels. Existing treatments to increase citrate can unfortunately raise urine pH, potentially leading to the formation of a different type of stone - a particular problem for women who often experience both low citrate and high urine pH. Dr. Pao's lab is developing drugs that specifically target and raise citrate levels without the unwanted side effect of increasing urine pH, focusing on a protein called NaDC1 (sodium dicarboxylate cotransporter 1) found in kidney cells.
- The Stanford Kidney Stone Clinic's research extends beyond drug development, encompassing efforts to improve diagnosis and tracking of kidney stone disease.
- Dr. Pao runs a research program investigating how doctors can better diagnose, track and treat kidney stones, including exploring new methods for identifying individuals at high risk of developing recurrent stones.
The players
Dr. Alan Pao
Director of the Stanford Medicine Kidney Stone Clinic and an associate professor of medicine in the nephrology division at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Stanford Medicine Kidney Stone Clinic
A team of researchers at Stanford Medicine focused on developing new approaches to preventing kidney stones before they form.
What they’re saying
“I'm in an environment here at Stanford where I can collaborate with medicinal chemists, cellular physiologists and pharmacologists to come up with new treatments to help these people who don't have any other options.”
— Dr. Alan Pao, Director, Stanford Medicine Kidney Stone Clinic
What’s next
The success of these new drug therapies will depend on ongoing clinical trials and further research into the complex interplay of factors that contribute to kidney stone development.
The takeaway
By focusing on targeted therapies and a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of stone formation, the Stanford team is working towards a future where recurrent kidney stones are no longer a debilitating reality for millions.
