Nephrotoxicity in cancer treatment: An overview

Abstract

Anticancer drug nephrotoxicity is an important and increasing adverse drug event that limits the efficacy of cancer treatment. The kidney is an important elimination pathway for many antineoplastic drugs and their metabolites, which occurs by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Chemotherapeutic agents, both conventional cytotoxic agents and molecularly targeted agents, can affect any segment of the nephron including its microvasculature, leading to many clinical manifestations such as proteinuria, hypertension, electrolyte disturbances, glomerulopathy, acute and chronic interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury and at times chronic kidney disease. The clinician should be alert to recognize several factors that may maximize renal dysfunction and contribute to the increased incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with these drugs, such as intravascular volume depletion, the associated use of nonchemotherapeutic nephrotoxic drugs (analgesics, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and bone-targeted therapies), radiographic ionic contrast media or radiation therapy, urinary tract obstruction, and intrinsic renal disease. Identification of patients at higher risk for nephrotoxicity may allow the prevention or at least reduction in the development and severity of this adverse effect. Therefore, the aim of this brief review is to provide currently available evidences on oncologic drug-related nephrotoxicity.

Core tip: Nephrotoxicity is an adverse event that is well described with the use of conventional cytotoxic agents and with the advent of new agents directed to specific genes/proteins in recent decades. Its nephrotoxic potential has also been observed, which limits the effectiveness of treatment and increases the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Our objective was to recognize the main chemotherapeutic drugs with nephrotoxic potential and the most common types of kidney injury to prevent or at least reduce their occurrence and severity, allowing better therapeutic indices.

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is an important cause of death worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity related to the underlying disease itself, as well as the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are first-line agents to treat several malignancies but cause kidney toxicity, which occurs when kidney excretion properly due to the action of harmful chemicals[1]. In the last several decades, novel cancer drugs have been developed and used in clinical practice, being more specific against cancer cells and extremely effective against several previously untreatable malignancies, the so-called molecularly targeted agents, but also suffer from nephrotoxicity (Figure 1), which limits the efficacy of the treatment and impact their quality of life and overall survival[2]. A variety of renal complications can occur among cancer patients associated with malignancy (paraneoplastic renal manifestation, need for nephrectomy and urinary tract obstruction) or its treatment (nephrotoxicity effects of chemotherapy: Acute kidney disease (AKI), due to toxic acute tubular necrosis, thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), and crystal nephropathy; proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome due to TMA and glomerulopathies; tubulopathies due to electrolyte and acid-base disorders; and chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to glomerulopathies or interstitial nephritis) or intrinsic kidney injury related to other pre-existing patient risk factors such as female gender, reduced muscle mass and reduced body water - mainly related to higher age, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Regarding kidney-related risk factors, are listed nephrosis, previous kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome and hydroelectrolytic disturbance which can be consequence of vomiting, diarrhea and use of diuretics[3]. Kidney injury in cancer patients is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1.

Renal effects of anticancer drugs. AKI: Acute kidney injury; CKD: Chronic kidney disease; SIADH: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion; TMA: Thrombotic microangiopathy.

Figure 2.

Kidney injury in cancer patient. AKI: Acute kidney disease.

Many of the drug-related nephrotoxicities do not have a well-defined mechanism of injury or pathophysiology, which makes it difficult to develop strategies to prevent or minimize their occurrence. However, there are some factors that may contribute to the higher incidence of this adverse event including intravascular volume depletion, the associated use of non-chemotherapeutic nephrotoxic drugs (analgesics, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and bone-targeted therapies), radiographic ionic contrast media or radiation therapy, urinary tract obstruction, and intrinsic renal disease[4]. These factors should be considered by the oncologist before initiating treatment to minimize the risk of nephrotoxicity. Table 1 summarizes the main classes of chemotherapy and their representatives, the renal lesions associated with its use, and the mechanism that leads to nephrotoxicity. This review provides an update of anticancer drugs that are associated with kidney injury.

Table 1.

Relationship between anticancer drug class, its nephrotoxic effects and mechanism of action of its lesion

Class	Drugs	Nephrotoxicity	Mechanism of action
Alkylating agents	Bendamustine; Cyclophosphamide; Ifosfamide; Melfalano; Nitrosureasnts	AKI; Hemorrhagic cystitis; Inflammatory lesion; SIADH; Hyponatremia; Fanconi's syndrome; Interstitial nephritis; Diabetes	Damage to proximal and distal tubular structures by action of metabolites and increased cellular oxidative stress
Antimetabolites	Chlopharabine; Methotrexate; Pemetrexed; Gemcitabine; Pentostatin	AKI; Decreased GFR; Interstitial edema; Tubular acidosis; Diabetes insipidus; Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia; SIADH; Hyponatremia	Decreased GFR due to vasoconstrictor action on afferent renal arteries; Crystal precipitation in tubules and induction of tubular injury
Anti-microtubular agents	Paclitaxis; Vincristine; Vinblastine; Vinorelbine	SIADH	Inhibits synthesis of genetic material or causes irreparable DNA damage
Antitumor antibiotics	Daunorubicin; Doxorubicin; Mitomycin	Nephrotic syndrome; Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis; TMA; AKI; Hemolytic uremic syndrome	Epithelial lesions (podocytes)
Platinum agents	Cisplatin; Carboplatin; Ocaliplatin	AKI; Anemia; Hypomagnesemia; Proximal tubular dysfunction; TMA	Drug accumulation in the proximal renal tubules
Cytotoxic agents	Arsenic trioxide; Etoposide; Irinotecan; Topotecan	Tubulointerstitial disease; Rhabdomyolysis; AKI	Increased exposure can be toxic; Higher levels of hematologic toxicity
Immunomodulatory drugs	Thalidomide; Lenalidomide; Pomalidomide	Hypercalcemia; Decreased GFR; Nephrolithiasis	Unclear, depending on the drug, may be related to its type of metabolism
Proteasome inhibitors	Bortezomib; Carfilzomib; Ixazomib	TMA; Acute interstitial nephritis; AKI	Prerenal causes (e.g., hypovolemia); Tumor lysis-like syndrome
EGFR pathway inhibitors	Cetuximab; Panitumumab; Afatinib; Erlotinib; Gefitinib	Electrolyte disturbance; AKI; Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis; Nephrotic syndrome	Inhibition of EGFR signaling at the distal convoluted tubule, which regulates transepithelial magnesium transport; AKI mechanism is unclear, however, EGFR plays a role in the maintenance of tubular integrity
HER-2 inhibitors	Trastuzumab; Ado-trastuzumab emtansine; Pertuzumab	Proteinuria; AKI; Decreased GFR; Electrolyte disturbance; Hypertension	Unclear
BCL-2 inhibitors	Venetoclax; Obituzumab; Ofatumumab	AKI	Tumor lysis syndrome
ALK inhibitors	Crizotinib; Alectinib; Brigatinib	Decreased GFR; Development of complex renal cysts; Electrolyte disturbance	Unclear
BRAF inhibitors	Vemurafenib; Dabrafenib; Trametinib; Cobimetinib	Decrease GFR; AKI; Glomerulonephritis; Hyponatremia; Hypertension	Unclear
MTOR inhibitors	Temsirolimus	Glomerulopathy; AKI; Proteinuria	Unclear
BCR-ABL1 and KIT inhibitors	Bosutinib; Dasatinib; Imatinib	Hypophosphatemia; Decreased GFR; AKI; Proteinuria; Nephrotic syndrome; CKD	Rhabdomyolysis; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Alterations in glomerular podocytes; Tumor lysis syndrome; Acute tubular injury
Anti-angiogenesis drugs (VEGF pathway inhibitors and TKI)	Bevacizumab; Ramucirumab; Aflibercept; Sunitinib; Sorafenib; Pazopanib; Ponatinib; Others	Hypertension; Proteinuria; Nephrotic syndrome; Decreased GFR; TMA; Glomerulopathy; Electrolyte disturbance	Endothelial cell dysfunction and dysregulation of podocyte
Inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase	Ibrutinib	AKI	Unclear, but tumor lysis syndrome might be contributory
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4)	Ipilimumab; Pembrolizumab; Nivolumab	Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis; Immune complex glomerulonephritis; TMA; Electrolyte disturbance; AKI (rare)	Unclear, but development of autoantibodies that are pathogenic to the kidney might be contributory
Cytokine	INF-a	Proteinuria; Glomerulopathy; TMA; AKI	Minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Cytokine	IL-2	AKI	Capillary leak syndrome leading to AKI
Peptide receptor radioligand	Lutetium Lu-177 dotatate	Decreased GFR	Kidney irradiation

AKI: Acute kidney injury; CKD: Chronic kidney disease; GFR: Glomerular filtration rate; SIADH: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion; TKI: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor; TMA: Thrombotic microangiopathy.

CONVENTIONAL CYTOTOXIC AGENTS

Alkylating agents

Bendamustine is a potent cytotoxic agent that is approved for use in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma[5]. In only one study, the relationship of this drug to induction of AKI was observed[6]. Cyclophosphamide has toxicity caused by some of its metabolites, mainly in bone marrow and gonads, and its use has been related to the development of bladder cancer. Hemorrhagic cystitis is the major adverse urological effect, and its severity is related to dose dependence and treatment duration[7]. Cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity is often not considered in clinical practice, as the change in creatinine levels is of little significance[8]. However, a histological study of cyclophosphamide-treated mice found a significant inflammatory lesion in the animals' renal tissue. This injury has been attributed to increased oxidative stress on renal cells and decreased antioxidant agents[9]. This agent has been associated with the development of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), leading to severe hyponatremia in patients receiving high or moderate intravenous doses of this drug[10]. Nephrotoxic effects of ifosfamide are most commonly reported in childhood. In one study, insufficiency renal was observed in more than 80% of patients. In addition, a higher prevalence of Fanconi’s syndrome with hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, glycosuria, and proteinuria is well documented[11,12]. Melphalan is generally used to treat multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer[13]. The association of high-dose melphalan use with SIADH has been reported[14]. In prolonged therapy with nitrosoureas, a slow, progressive, chronic, and often irreversible interstitial nephritis can be observed. However, the nephrotoxic mechanism of this class is not well understood in the literature[15]. Streptozotocin, which is used in several studies to induce diabetes in animal study models, causes mild proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine levels, followed by significant tubular damage that results in phosphaturia, glycosuria and uricosuria[16,17]. Trabectedin is a marine-derived alkylating agent that is used to treat advanced soft tissue sarcoma and has reports of renal failure, some of which have been attributed to rhabdomyolysis[18,19].

Antimetabolites

Clofarabine is approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, as well as acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults. Two reports of severe kidney injury have been documented following administration of this drug as proteinuria and anuria requiring dialysis[20,21]. Renal insufficiency has been reported in some patients that undergone allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation[22,23]. Methotrexate is one of the most widely used antineoplastic drugs. Treatment with high doses may lead to acute kidney injury due to crystal precipitation in the tubules and induction of tubular injury[24]. This drug may transiently decrease the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) due to an afferent arteriolar constriction[25]. Pemetrexed is a methotrexate derivative used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and its nephrotoxic effects include acute tubular necrosis, interstitial edema, tubular acidosis, and diabetes insipidus[26-28]. Gemcitabine is used in many advanced neoplasms, being associated with a kidney injury such as hypertension and TMA in a case series. Moreover, hemolytic uremic syndrome may be a potential adverse effect[29]. Pentostatin is effective in treating hairy cell leukemia, and its use has been associated with mild renal dysfunction in some patients[30].

Antimicrotubule agents

Paclitaxel is a microtubule inhibitor that is used in various antineoplastic treatments. Its nephrotoxicity was observed in a histological study with mice, in which dose-dependent cellular apoptosis and parenchymal necrosis were reported[31]. Other antimicrotubule agents, vincristine, vinblastine, and vinorelbine are related to a small number of SIADH cases[32,33].

Antitumor antibiotics

Anthracyclines such as daunorubicin and doxorubicin cause nephrotic syndrome with significant renal lesions and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been linked to renal TMA and AKI[34,35]. Mitomycin nephrotoxicity is well documented due to direct damage to the renal parenchyma[36]. There are numerous cases reported in the literature of hemolytic uremic syndrome related to the cumulative dose of this drug. This syndrome leads, in most cases, to a slowly progressive renal failure and hypertension[37,38].

Platinum agents

Cisplatin is one of the most widely used agents in cancer treatment and is known as one of the most nephrotoxic drugs. This nephrotoxic effect is dose-dependent and can be reversed with discontinuation of the drug[39]. The most common findings of renal damage in individuals using cisplatin are AKI, hypomagnesemia, proximal tubular dysfunction, and TMA[40]. Hydration and dose adjustment in patients with preexisting renal impairment is important to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity[40,41]. Standardization of what is recommended is still necessary, mainly because current guidelines follow empirical treatments rather than clinical trials results[42]. However, this reasoning still depends much more on clinical manifestations and professional practice than isolated laboratory findings[41].

Another important platinum agent is carboplatin, which has a similar effect to cisplatin but with a significant reduction in expected adverse effects. The main one is hypomagnesemia, which is still less important than expected with cisplatin[42,43]. One caution that should be exercised is for patients who have already taken cisplatin and switched to carboplatin, because although it is not related to AKI, the patient is still at risk for this complication due to contact with cisplatin[44].

Among the new platinum agents, the third generation is mainly represented by oxaliplatin, a recent agent that has few adverse effects over previous ones and has relevant safety in patients with preexisting renal impairment, and does not require dose adjustment for these patients[45,46].

Other cytotoxic agents

Arsenic trioxide is one of the main cytotoxic agents used in cancer treatments. At low doses commonly used, nephrotoxic effects are not common, which are usually represented by tubulointerstitial disease of the kidney and rhabdomyolysis[47]. However, because its metabolism is mainly renal, it is important to be careful and closely monitor its use in patients with preexisting renal impairment[48].

Etoposide is another cytotoxic agent and its use is related to renal insufficiency[49]. Some guidelines attempt to standardize etoposide’s dose adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction, and although data are different between societies, there is consensus on dose reduction in these patients, as well as discontinuation of their use for lower creatinine clearance[42,50].

Finally, there are also in this group irinotecan and topotecan. The former has hepatic metabolism and poor renal excretion[51]. Although lower renal complications are therefore expected, there are reports of toxicity in patients with preexisting renal impairment even at low doses[52]. There is also no standardization regarding its use in these patients. Topotecan is predominantly cleared by the kidneys, and increased toxicity may be seen in patients with moderate renal insufficiency[50,53]. There is still no worldwide consensus on dose adjustment for its use, although some studies are already moving towards standardization of drug dose reduction in patients with renal dysfunction.

Immunomodulatory drugs

This group of antineoplastic drugs is especially important for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Among them, thalidomide stands out first. Studies have shown that there is no relationship between AKI and the use of thalidomide, but the progression of the underlying disease itself. However, some case reports have shown hyperkalemia, requiring no dose adjustment, but close observation of potassium levels[54,55]. Lenalidomide, a thalidomide analog, mainly undergoes renal metabolism, which puts patients with prior renal injury at risk when exposed to this type of treatment and therefore requires dose adjustment[56,57]. Among the findings, AKI was reported including severe renal dysfunction and dialysis necessity[58-60].

Pomalidomide, although its metabolism is mainly hepatic, was related to AKI and nephrolithiasis. However, there are no standardizations for dose adjustment, except for patients on hemodialysis[61,62].

Proteasome inhibitors

Proteasome inhibitors are primarily used for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and the drug Bortezomib has reports of TMA and acute interstitial nephritis with granuloma formation[63]. However, there are no standardizations regarding drug dose adjustment for patients with renal dysfunction. Carfilzomib, another drug of this class, has reports of TMA and AKI in several studies, such as Siegel et al[64] and Hájek et al[65]. The main mechanisms of action are described in Table 1[66,67]. Despite these data, there is still no standardization for dose adjustments for patients with renal injury. Another representative is ixazomib, which has reports of TMA development, since its excretion is primarily renal[68]. Thus, guidelines already indicate dose adjustment for patients with renal dysfunction.

MOLECULARLY TARGETED AGENTS

Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway inhibitors

Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) results in phosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine kinase, triggering signaling pathways that modulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival[69]. Such a receptor is a crucial target for the treatment of some cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, which can be performed by administrating EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) or anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies[70,71].

Rare cases of nephrotic syndrome accompanied by minimal-change disease and membranous nephropathy have been related to the use of gefitinib, an EGFR-TKI[72-74]. Moreover, this drug family might also cause hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypokalemia[75]. On the other hand, increased renal magnesium loss is associated with the administration of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab and panitumumab). That electrolyte wasting leads to hypomagnesemia in up to 37% of patients, which resolves with therapy discontinuation[76,77]. In addition, cetuximab causes hypokalemia in about 8% of treated individuals[78]. Furthermore, this drug is linked to other very rare complications such as acute kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome, and proliferative glomerulonephritis[75,79].

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors

Some molecularly targeted therapies aim to inhibit human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), an overexpressed receptor in some breast and gastric /gastroesophageal junction cancers[80-82]. Trastuzumab is the precursor and the most successful example among antibodies aiming HER-2 antagonism[83]. However, this drug, as well as pertuzumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody), have been implicated in the occurrence of renal impairment, exemplified by acute kidney injury, proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine, and nephritis. In addition, hypertension, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and hypomagnesemia have also been reported[75]. The administration of lapatinib, a TKI, has been associated with the development of acute kidney injury and hypokalemia. In a few patients, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, and hypertension have also been observed[75,84].

B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitors

The cell intrinsic apoptotic pathway has B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) proteins as crucial regulators. When such a pathway is disturbed, the improper perpetuation of malignant cells can occur[85]. Given the context, the emergence of venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor, represents a promising solution for the treatment of refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Despite the benefits, such a drug has been associated with significant incidence of tumor lysis syndrome, leading to huge electrolyte disturbances and AKI. To prevent these effects, the gradual escalation of drug dose administration to the patient is recommended[86,87].

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase 1 (ALK-1) belongs to the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase family, which plays an important role in cell growth regulation[88]. Mutations involving the gene that encodes this kinase are related to malignancies such as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma[89-92]. Crizotinib is the first-developed ALK inhibitor and has been widely used for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with positivity for the ALK fusion gene. Reductions in GFR have been observed in patients who underwent this therapy. However, the premature emergence of this involvement, its negligible cumulative effect, and the quick reversibility after drug discontinuation indicate that the occurrence of this phenomenon is not due to direct nephrotoxicity from crizotinib[93]. Moreover, this drug is also related to the emergence of complex renal cysts, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia in a limited number of patients; however, all of these are reversible with therapy interruption[94,95].

BRAF inhibitors

BRAF is the encoding gene of a human protein called B-Raf, and if muted, can promote cell proliferation and carcinogenesis[96]. Molecularly targeted therapies aimed toward its inhibition have been used in individuals with malignant melanoma containing the BRAF V600E mutation[97]. Vemurafenib is one of the approved drugs for such patients, being related to a reduction in creatinine clearance (reversible with treatment discontinuation) as well as rare cases of AKI, which are more commonly observed in men[98,99]. At a lower frequency, the use of another BRAF inhibitor named dabrafenib can also lead to AKI[99].

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors

A serine/threonine kinase called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) participates in the signaling pathways of growth factors and cytokines related to oncogenic activity, and its inhibition leads to cell cycle arrest[100]. The administration of mTOR inhibitors, such as temsirolimus, is associated with the development of proteinuria, and in some cases, has kidney dysfunction as a consequence[101].

BCR-ABL1 and KIT inhibitors

The t(9;22)(q34;q11) chromosomal translocation that originates from the Philadelphia chromosome results in a BCR-ABL1 gene rearrangement observed in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)[102,103]. ABL can be targeted by bosutinib, which is used in the treatment of refractory CML and can lead to hypophosphatemia, as well as to a reversible decrease in GFR. With the goal of preventing advanced kidney disturbances due to adverse events from bosutinib, monitoring of renal function is recommended at baseline as well as while the patient undergoes this treatment. Moreover, dose reduction should be conducted when renal impairment due to the therapy occurs[104]. Besides BCR-ABL1 inhibition, a TKI named desatinib also acts to restrain the platelet-derived growth factor receptor and tyrosine kinase receptor KIT (CD117). This drug is rarely associated with AKI and proteinuria[105,106]. Another BCR-ABL1 and KIT inhibitor, imatinib, can be applied for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors beyond CML. If used for a long period, such an agent can lead to AKI and CKD, and kidney injury seems to be dose-dependent, with higher doses associated with a higher risk of renal impairment[107,108]. Moreover, imatinib administration is related to the occurrence of hypophosphatemia[109].

Vascular endothelial growth factor pathway inhibitors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential growth factor that plays a key role in angiogenesis during embryogenesis, wound healing, and tumor growth. It was first investigated as a potential anticancer agent over the past few decades[110].

There are two types of VEGF pathway inhibitors: VEGF ligand inhibitors, which are antagonists of the VEGF receptor and are represented by ramucirumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept; and small molecule TKIs (ponatinib, sunitinib, regorafenib, sorafenib, cabozantinib, pazopanib, axitinib, vandetanib, cabozantinib, lenvatinib), which prevent the activation of the VEGF receptor intracellular domain[111].

In normal conditions, VEGF is produced by the podocytes and binds to its receptors found in glomerular and peritubular endothelium, as well as in mesangial cells. This process maintains the structure of the glomerular basement membrane and the proper glomerular functioning[112]. Therefore, all drugs that block the VEGF pathway may induce renal abnormalities. Their renal toxicity is mainly renovascular in nature including hypertension and proteinuria, occasionally causing nephrotic syndrome, decreased GFR, and TMA which remains rare[113]. However, the exact mechanism underlying proteinuria and the factors associated with the occurrence and severity of proteinuria are unknown. It is suggested that preexisting renal disease (including higher baseline urine protein levels and hypertension) and renal cell carcinoma, may be predisposing factors to proteinuria[114,115].

Interruption of anti-VEGF drugs use improves kidney dysfunction, but persistent proteinuria is not unusual. Although angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may lower intraglomerular pressure and diminish protein excretion, no recommendation for use of these agents can be made as there are no controlled studies on the subject[116].

Although there is a lack of information regarding kidney biopsies in patients that undergo VEGF-targeted agents treatment, studies have demonstrated the presence of collapsing glomerulopathy, TMA, and isolated reports of immune complex glomerulonephritis and cryoglobulinemic[117]. The most common causative agent is bevacizumab. Less common histologic findings have been reported with bevacizumab such as nephritic syndrome and AKI[118].

Regarding TKIs, proteinuria and hypertension can be seen with their use. In addition, AKI and diabetes insipidus have been reported in clinical trials of vandetanib, although causality has not been proven. Decreased GFR during therapy has been reported with axitinib, sunitinib, and sorafenib, although renal failure is rare. Patients treated with lenvatinib may progress to renal failure or impairment, while regorafenib has been associated with several electrolyte abnormalities, including hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia[119,120]. Sorafenib and sunitinib have been associated with acute and chronic interstitial nephritis in case reports[121,122]. Sorafenib is also known to cause hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia[123].

Inhibitor of Burton’s tyrosine kinase

Ibrutinib is an irreversible inhibitor of Burton's tyrosine kinase. This drug has activity in B cell malignancies and is approved for the patients with mantle cell lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It may be related to AKI and the mechanism of this injury is unclear, but tumor lysis syndrome might be contributory[124].

Anti-CD22 immunotoxin

Moxetumomab pasudotox is used to ameliorate the prognosis of patients with relapsing or refractory hairy cell leukemia. Such a drug can be associated with AKI and proteinuria[125].

Poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors

Inhibitors of poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase are approved for treatment of BRCA-mutated breast cancer and for platinum-sensitive relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer. Increased creatinine have been reported in some patients treated with olaparib, but, in most cases, it is mild[126].

Immune checkpoint inhibitors

The monoclonal antibodies known as checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) target specific inhibitory receptors present in T cells, as well as in tumor cells and in other immune cells. The primary targets for checkpoint inhibition include programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD-1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), that play an important role in negatively regulating T cell activation/function, thus tumor cells carrying PDL-1 or CTLA-4 are protected from immune reactions. The objective of checkpoint inhibitors is to restore or generate the activation of the immune system, directed to tumor cells[127].

Drugs targeting PD-1 (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) and PD-L1 (atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab) have recently demonstrated their potential efficacy in different tumor types (e.g., urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient [dMMR] solid tumors) and drugs targeting CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) is approved for use in patients with advanced melanoma[128].

The immune response generated by CPIs is complicated by a number of immune-related adverse events related to many different organs, including the kidneys[129]. AKI is a rare complication of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, being mainly associated with ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy (4.9%)[130]. The most commonly reported underlying pathology is acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, but immune complex glomerulonephritis and TMA have also been observed[131]. There is also an association between CPIs treatment and electrolyte abnormalities, with hypocalcemia being the most significant. Discontinuation of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and treatment with corticosteroids are indicated for patients with severe renal injury[132].

Other biologic agents

Interferon-alpha activates interleukin-2 (IL-2) release, which leads to cancer cell death[133]. Recombinant interferon-alpha can cause proteinuria, which can be in the nephrotic range and AKI, the histology is consistent with minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis[134,135]. Rarely, TMA is seen and in this situation prompt drug discontinuation is critical[136].

IL-2 is used for the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. IL-2 therapy causes cytokine-driven capillary leak syndrome, leading to intravascular volume depletion, edema, and a reversible fall in GFR. In this context, AKI is a consequence of prerenal azotemia from capillary leak. It is important to highlight that ischemic acute tubular injury may also occur due to severe hypotension[137]. Cytokine-mediated inflammatory kidney injury may also occur[138].

Chemotherapy-induced nephron specific segment injury is shown in Figure 3. The peptide receptor radioligand Lutetium Lu 177-dotatate is a radiolabeled somatostatin analog with potential antineoplastic activities. Lutetium Lu 177-dotatate binds to somatostatin receptors expressed by various neuroendocrine tumor cells. Once the radioligand binds to that receptor, this complex in internalized, resulting in beta radiation delivery to cells that express somatostatin receptors. Kidney irradiation may result in glomerular damage with renal impairment. An amino acid solution infusion is needed to protect the kidneys from the radiation effects of the therapeutic radionuclide. This protocol results in low rates of nephrotoxicity during therapy. No risk factors for renal toxicity have been identified[139].

Figure 3.

Chemotherapy-induced nephron specific segment injury. TKI: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; IL-2: Interleukin-2; INF-a: Interferon-alpha.

CONCLUSION

Onco-nephrology has emerged as a new specialized therapeutic perspective for cancer patients. Despite the improvement of patients survival resulting from the use of conventional and molecularly targeted agents, several therapeutic complications due to nephrotoxic effects of these drugs have been reported. Given the background, it is important to know the possible adverse events related to these therapies, allowing early diagnosis of these effects, avoiding further issues due to this treatment. It is important to highlight that the approach in patients affected by nephrotoxicity due to anti-cancer drugs include, in addition to the forms previously mentioned specifically for each drug, close monitoring, proper hydration and dose reduction, with suspension of the agent use if necessary. It is also important to conduct more controlled studies in the sense of creating guidelines for dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment, since most of the dose adjustment standards for these drugs are being created recently through studies with small numbers of subjects and in initial stages of clinical trials. The development of these studies is also important to look at other treatment-associated nephrotoxic effects, as well as to reduce short and long-term complications related to such therapies.