Moderate renal dysfunction may not require a cisplatin dose reduction: a retrospective study of cancer patients with renal impairment

Full-dose cisplatin chemotherapy combined with hemodialysis in a patient with impaired renal function and a mediastinal germ cell tumor

Cisplatin is the first choice treatment in mediastinal germ cell tumors. However, concerns regarding increased toxicity of cisplatin hamper its administration in patients with impaired renal function. We describe a 42-year-old man with chronic kidney disease stage 4 who was diagnosed with a mediastinal germ cell tumor and metastases in lung and brain. Treatment with cisplatin-etoposide was considered essential for a chance of cure. In order to administer the full cisplatin dose, 4-hour hemodialysis sessions were performed after each cisplatin infusion. During treatment cycle 3, 4 and 5, total and unbound plasma platinum concentrations were measured. Trough concentrations and half-life were at the higher end of the range of those observed in patients with adequate renal function who received the same dose of cisplatin. Hemodialysis aided platinum clearance, although our patient was also able to clear some platinum by his own renal function. With this full dose treatment, our patient obtained a favorable tumor response, with a strong decrease of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and tumor size. The side effects experienced by our patient were serious, although not worse than what could be expected with this type of treatment. His renal function remained stable during the treatment period.

Defining cisplatin eligibility in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The current treatment paradigm for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) consists of cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by local definitive therapy, or local definitive therapy alone for cisplatin-ineligible patients. Given that MIBC has a high propensity for distant relapse and is a chemotherapy-sensitive disease, under-utilization of chemotherapy is associated with suboptimal cure rates. Cisplatin eligibility criteria are defined for patients with metastatic bladder cancer by the Galsky criteria, which include creatinine clearance ≥60 ml/min. However, consensus is still lacking regarding cisplatin eligibility criteria in the neoadjuvant, curative MIBC setting, which continues to represent a substantial barrier to the standardization of patient care and clinical trial design. Jiang and colleagues accordingly suggest an algorithm for assessing cisplatin eligibility in patients with MIBC. Instead of relying on an absolute renal function threshold, their algorithm emphasizes a multidisciplinary and patient-centred approach. They also propose mitigation strategies to minimize the risk of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in selected patients with impaired renal function. This new framework is aimed at reducing the inappropriate exclusion of some patients from cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (which leads to under-treatment) and harmonizing clinical trial design, which could lead to improved overall outcomes in patients with MIBC.

Population pharmacokinetics and renal toxicity of cisplatin in cancer patients with renal dysfunction

PURPOSE

The pharmacokinetics (PKs) of cisplatin have not been investigated in patients with renal dysfunction, characterized by creatinine clearance (Ccr) < 60 mL/min. In this study, we performed a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis of unchanged cisplatin in patients with renal dysfunction. We investigated the effects of renal dysfunction on the PKs and nephrotoxicity of unchanged cisplatin.

METHODS

We enrolled 23 patients with moderate renal dysfunction (Ccr calculated to be 30-60 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula) treated with cisplatin. PPK analysis was performed by nonlinear mixed effect modeling using NONMEM (Version 7.2). We evaluated gender, age, body surface area (BSA), weight, baseline Ccr, baseline serum creatinine (Scr), and baseline urea nitrogen as potential covariates. The final model was evaluated using bootstrap analysis. Renal toxicity was evaluated using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ver. 4.0. The frequency of severe renal dysfunction (Grade 3/4 Scr elevation) was measured in the population.

RESULTS

A one-compartment model adequately described the unchanged cisplatin data. The population mean values for clearance (CLtot) and volume of distribution (Vd) were 19.1 L/h [coefficient of variation (CV) 19.4%] and 13.8 L (CV 41.0%), respectively. The final model identified BSA as a significant covariate for CLtot. There were no significant covariates for Vd. No patients suffered from severe nephrotoxicity to the point that hemodialysis was required.

CONCLUSION

Moderate renal dysfunction does not affect the PKs of unchanged cisplatin. The increased serum concentration of cisplatin may not lead to increased toxicity in patients with renal dysfunction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION

UMIN000007091 (January 17, 2012).

Two cases of cisplatin-induced permanent renal failure following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer

•

Two esophageal cancer patients developed severe acute renal failure after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorourasil.

•

Volume expansion remains the most effective strategy for prevention of cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

•

The two patients described here received sufficient drip infusion and produced good urine volumes.

•

In both cases, renal biopsy examination indicated partial recovery of the proximal tubule, but renal function did not recover.

Introduction

We experienced two esophageal cancer patients who developed severe acute renal failure after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorourasil.

Presentation of case

After administration of cisplatin, their serum creatinine increased gradually until they required hemodialysis and their renal failure was permanent. In both cases, renal biopsy examination indicated partial recovery of the proximal tubule, but renal function did not recover. After these events, one patient underwent definitive radiotherapy and the other underwent esophagectomy for their esophageal cancers, while continuing dialysis. Both patients are alive without cancer recurrence.

Discussion

In these two cases of cisplatin-induced renal failure, renal biopsy examination showed only slight disorder of proximal tubules and tendency to recover.

Conclusion

Although cisplatin-related nephrotoxicity is a well-recognized complication, there have been few reports of renal failure requiring hemodialysis in cancer patients. In this report, we present their clinical courses and the pathological findings of cisplatin-related renal failure.

Comparison between the effects of one-day treatment regimen with cisplatin on renal function and various biochemical parameters in patients with gastric and lung cancer compared with two-days divided cisplatin treatment regimen

Introduction: Cisplatin is an efficient chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of different cancers. Clinical trials represents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in a dose dependent manner.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of 1-day treatment regimen with cisplatin on renal function, potassium, calcium, magnesium and uric acid in patients with gastric and lung cancer compared with 2-day divided cisplatin treatment regimen to suggest appropriate management for decrease nephrotoxic effects and >electrolyte abnormalities.

Patients and Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial. The sample consisted of 60 patients with gastric and lung cancer treated with cisplatin in Ahvaz Shafa hospital. Patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Both groups were treated with cisplatin over a period of 6 to 18 weeks. The first group received 50 mg/m²/day of cisplatin during one day and the second group received 25 mg/m²/day in 2 days. Electrolytes in each period and renal function at baseline and 6 months after starting treatment was assessed.

Results: Difference of mean of renal function and nephrotoxicity incidence in the 2 groups was statistically significant. The odds of hypokalemia in 1-day group was higher than 2-day group (odds ratio [OR] = 6.5), which was statistically significant. However there was no significant relationship between the types of treatment and the risk of hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hyperuricemia. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that, the divided administration of cisplatin reduces the nephrotoxic and hypokalemia effects of this drug, however it had not significant influence on hypomagnesemia, hypocalcaemia, and hyperuricemia.

Nephro-oncology: a link in evolution

A multidisciplinary approach represents the best method to interact with patients. Neoplastic and renal diseases are closely related to each other because of an increased risk of cancer among individuals with end-stage renal disease and because of the high prevalence of renal failure in cancer patients. Physicians should be able to know how to prevent and treat the possible complications which may appear during the course of neoplastic disease that may lead to kidney damage such as the Acute Tumor Lysis Syndrome, disorders of hydroelectrolitic balance, metabolic alterations in the calcium-phosphorus, anemia, interstitial and glomerular impairment due to chemotherapy. It is very important to know patients' renal function and directly monitor it, before and during treatment, using formulas for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and above all, specific biomarkers are more early and sensitive than the increase of creatinine, like neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. Additionally, physician should consider that alteration of GFR or substitutive renal treatments severely influence dosage of tumor markers and it could lead to wrong diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this article is to provide a review of problems related to cancer relevant in the development of renal failure and try to define the best therapeutic strategies to cope with possible kidney imbalances induced by cancer or its treatment.