How to determine kidney function in cancer patients?

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Accurate kidney function estimation is vital for cancer patient management, impacting clinical trial eligibility, surgical decisions, and anti-cancer drug dosing.
• Direct measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is impractical, necessitating the use of predictive formulas based on serum creatinine.
• The CKD-EPI formula is widely accepted for accuracy, but its optimal application in cancer patients remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare various GFR estimating equations for their performance in cancer patients.
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different kidney function estimation methods.
• To highlight the significance of body surface area-indexing in GFR calculations for this population.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on GFR estimating equations.
• Comparative analysis of formula performance specifically in cancer patient cohorts.
• Discussion of methodological considerations, including body surface area-indexing.

Main Results:

• The review provides an overview of commonly used GFR estimating formulas.
• It highlights the strengths and limitations of each formula in the context of cancer patients.
• The importance of selecting an appropriate formula and considering body surface area-indexing is emphasized.

Conclusions:

• Choosing the optimal GFR estimating formula is critical for safe and effective cancer treatment.
• Further research and validation of formulas in diverse cancer populations are warranted.
• A proposed framework for evaluating kidney function in cancer patients is presented to guide clinical practice.