Nephrotoxicity of anticancer treatment

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nephrology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chemotherapy is essential for cancer treatment but can cause severe adverse drug events.
• Nephrotoxicity is a significant complication of chemotherapy, limiting treatment efficacy and potentially causing renal disease.
• The kidneys are a primary route for eliminating many chemotherapy drugs and their metabolites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the issue of nephrotoxicity associated with chemotherapy.
• To discuss the mechanisms and clinical manifestations of chemotherapy-induced kidney damage.
• To emphasize the importance of monitoring kidney function during cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on chemotherapy and nephrotoxicity.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which chemotherapeutic agents affect renal structures.
• Discussion of factors that potentiate chemotherapy-induced kidney injury.

Main Results:

• Chemotherapeutic agents can impact glomeruli, tubules, interstitium, and renal microvasculature.
• Clinical manifestations range from elevated creatinine to acute renal failure.
• Cisplatin is highly nephrotoxic, but other agents like alkylating agents and pathway inhibitors also pose risks.

Conclusions:

• Nephrotoxicity is a common and serious complication of cancer chemotherapy.
• Early identification and management of kidney dysfunction are vital for patient outcomes.
• Regular monitoring of renal function allows for timely intervention, such as dose adjustment or drug discontinuation.