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Review
. 2020 Jul 10;21(14):4878.
doi: 10.3390/ijms21144878.

Nephrotoxicity Associated with Novel Anticancer Agents (Aflibercept, Dasatinib, Nivolumab): Case Series and Nephrological Considerations

Luca Piscitani  1 , Vittorio Sirolli  1 , Lorenzo Di Liberato  1 , Manrico Morroni  2 , Mario Bonomini  1
Affiliations
Review

Nephrotoxicity Associated with Novel Anticancer Agents (Aflibercept, Dasatinib, Nivolumab): Case Series and Nephrological Considerations

Luca Piscitani et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Cancer patients have an incidence of about 60% kidney disease development and are at elevated risk of acute renal damage. Kidney disease in these patients is frequently associated with nephrotoxicity from the ongoing oncological treatment. New anticancer therapeutic strategies, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies, offer substantial benefits in the treatment of many neoplasms. However, their use is associated with significant nephrotoxicity, which qualitatively differs from that seen with traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy, while the underlying mechanisms are complex and still to be clearly defined. Nephrologists need to be knowledgeable about the array of such renal toxicities for effective collaboration with the oncologist in the prevention and management of kidney involvement. Renal adverse effects may range from asymptomatic proteinuria to renal failure, and their prompt identification and timely treatment is essential for optimal and safe care of the patient. In this article, after presenting clinical cases we discuss the differing renal toxicity of three novel anticancer agents (aflibercept, dasatinib, and nivolumab) and possible measures to counter it.

Keywords: VEGF; aflibercept; anti-VEGF agents; cancer; dasatinib; immune checkpoint inhibitor; kidney; nephrotoxicity; nivolumab.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Time course of renal function over time.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Electron micrograph revealing diffuse foot process effacement over the entire capillary surface (arrowheads).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Time course of renal function over time.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Proposed mechanisms in the genesis of hypertension by targeted anti-VEGF therapy. Modified from 18.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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