[Tumor lysis syndrome]

Kiyohiko Hatake1

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Ambulatory Therapy Center, Tokyo, Japan

Insights

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) is a critical concern with new molecular targeting drugs. Early recognition and prevention are vital for managing patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Context:

  • The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has recently incorporated Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) into its guidelines.
  • Modern cancer therapies, including molecular targeting drugs, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, are associated with a significant risk of TLS.
  • Effective prevention and recognition strategies for TLS are crucial for patient management.

Purpose:

  • To highlight the importance of recognizing and preventing Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) in patients undergoing treatment with novel cancer therapies.
  • To emphasize the association between specific drug classes and the risk of developing TLS.
  • To underscore the significance of laboratory monitoring for TLS.

Summary:

  • Newer cancer treatments like molecular targeting drugs, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies can cause rapid tumor regression, increasing the risk of Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS).
  • The ASCO guideline now includes TLS, stressing the need for proactive management.
  • Identifying patients at high risk and understanding laboratory indicators of TLS are essential for timely intervention.

Impact:

  • Improved patient outcomes through timely recognition and management of TLS.
  • Enhanced clinical practice guidelines for oncologists and healthcare providers.
  • Reduced morbidity and mortality associated with TLS in cancer patients receiving targeted therapies.

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...