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Acute pancreatitis associated with sorafenib

Mingqing Li1, Sandy Srinivas

  • 1Department of Medicine, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ, USA.

Southern Medical Journal
|October 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Sorafenib, used for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, can cause acute pancreatitis. This rare side effect resolved after discontinuing the drug, highlighting the need for patient awareness and early detection.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Sorafenib (Nexavar) is an FDA-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
  • Increased use of sorafenib has led to reports of various adverse effects.
  • Renal cell carcinoma is a significant malignancy requiring effective treatment options.

Observation:

  • A case report details an 80-year-old Asian male with mRCC who developed acute pancreatitis.
  • The pancreatitis was confirmed via computed tomography (CT) scan.
  • Symptoms emerged one month after initiating sorafenib 400 mg twice daily.

Findings:

  • The patient's acute pancreatitis resolved after sorafenib discontinuation.
  • This represents a rare but potentially serious adverse effect of sorafenib therapy.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying sorafenib-induced pancreatitis are discussed.

Implications:

  • Patients should be informed about the risk of acute pancreatitis before starting sorafenib.
  • Early recognition and prompt cessation of sorafenib are crucial for managing this complication.
  • This case underscores the importance of monitoring for gastrointestinal adverse events in patients receiving targeted cancer therapies.

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