In this study, we developed and well characterized a newly established ADPKD model and demonstrated that rapamycin inhibits cystic progression in the ADPKD kidney by down‐regulating the cell‐cycle‐associated CDK1 and cyclins (cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin D1 and cyclin E), thereby arresting aberrant proliferation of the renal epithelia. The gene discussed is CCNE1; the disease is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.