In 2016, Zhang et al. first designed a CDK12/CDK13 inhibitor, THZ531, which treated leukaemia cells by inducing a strong DNA damage response (DDR).8 After that, increasing evidence from trials of CDK12 inhibitors suggested that CDK12 was a potential target for a variety of cancers.28,29 Notably, 10% of the individuals developed AKI in these studies, and the potential mechanism is not well understood. The gene discussed is CDK12; the disease is acute kidney injury.