Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Prescribed Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy and Their Association

Jingying Sun1, Xiyou Zhang1, Yang Luo1

  • 1Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Cancer Investigation
|December 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in cancer patients. This review found AKI incidence at 16.2%, with higher mortality risk and associations with specific medications and ICI types.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a significant advancement in cancer therapy.
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential adverse event associated with ICI treatment.
  • Understanding the incidence and risk factors for ICI-related AKI is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and quantify the occurrence of AKI in cancer patients treated with ICIs.
  • To identify risk factors and patient characteristics associated with ICI-induced AKI.
  • To assess the impact of AKI on mortality in patients receiving ICIs.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of major biomedical databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) was performed.
  • Twenty-nine studies including 24,953 cancer patients treated with ICIs were included in the analysis.
  • Incidence rates, hazard ratios for mortality, and associations with risk factors were calculated.

Main Results:

  • The overall incidence of AKI was 16.2%, with immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated AKI (ICPi-AKI) at 3.1%.
  • Patients with AKI and ICPi-AKI showed an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.521 and HR=1.407, respectively).
  • Preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD), combined immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and concomitant use of NSAIDs, PPIs, diuretics, RAAS inhibitors, antibiotics, and certain ICIs (ipilimumab, CTLA4, PDL-1) were associated with increased AKI risk.

Conclusions:

  • AKI is a significant concern in patients receiving ICIs, associated with increased mortality.
  • Specific patient comorbidities, concomitant medications, and ICI regimens influence AKI development.
  • Close monitoring and risk factor management are essential for patients undergoing ICI therapy.

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