[Renal toxicity of anti-VEGF (corrected) targeted therapies]

For a few years, new targeted therapies have been used for metastatic cancers, targeting VEGF and its receptors and improving patients' survival for metastatic carcinoma (kidney, GIST, breast, colorectal). The objective of these treatments is to block either circulating VEGF (bevacizumab; VEGF-Trap), or tyrosine kinase receptors (especially the VEGF receptor) (sorafenib, sunitinib, brivanib, imatinib, etc.). Indeed, VEGF stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and then tumour growth and metastasis. However, all these antiangiogenic drugs share similar side effects, most frequently gastrointestinal disturbance, skin toxicity and hypertension. Hypertension seems to be especially frequent in case of good response. Renal side effects have probably been underestimated in the first place and their exact frequency is not known, needing some specific trials and registries. Proteinuria, thrombotic microangiopathies and acute renal failures have been reported: renal biopsies might be necessary for precise evaluation of renal damages. Physiopathology seems very close to preeclampsia. Good collaboration between oncologists, nephrologists and cardiologists is therefore crucial in order to continue these targeted therapies safely for the patients.