Oxaliplatin-induced hemolytic anemia during adjuvant treatment of a patient with colon cancer: a case report

Chemotherapy-induced acute kidney injury: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic approaches

Despite significant advancements in oncology, conventional chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for diverse malignancies. Acute kidney injury (AKI) stands out as one of the most prevalent and severe adverse effects associated with these cytotoxic agents. While platinum compounds are well-known for their nephrotoxic potential, other drugs including antimetabolites, alkylating agents, and antitumor antibiotics are also associated. The onset of AKI poses substantial risks, including heightened morbidity and mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, treatment interruptions, and the need for renal replacement therapy, all of which impede optimal patient care. Various proactive measures, such as aggressive hydration and diuresis, have been identified as potential strategies to mitigate AKI; however, preventing its occurrence during chemotherapy remains challenging. Additionally, several factors, including intravascular volume depletion, sepsis, exposure to other nephrotoxic agents, tumor lysis syndrome, and direct damage from cancer's pathophysiology, frequently contribute to or exacerbate kidney injury. This article aims to comprehensively review the epidemiology, mechanisms of injury, diagnosis, treatment options, and prevention strategies for AKI induced by conventional chemotherapy.

Conventional Chemotherapy Nephrotoxicity

Conventional chemotherapies remain the mainstay of treatment for many malignancies. Kidney complications of these therapies are not infrequent and may have serious implications for future kidney function, cancer treatment options, eligibility for clinical trials, and overall survival. Kidney adverse effects may include acute kidney injury (via tubular injury, tubulointerstitial nephritis, glomerular disease and thrombotic microangiopathy), long-term kidney function loss and CKD, and electrolyte disturbances. In this review, we summarize the kidney complications of conventional forms of chemotherapy and, where possible, provide estimates of incidence, and identify risk factors and strategies for kidney risk mitigation. In addition, we provide recommendations regarding kidney dose modifications, recognizing that these adjustments may be limited by available supporting pharmacokinetic and clinical outcomes data. We discuss management strategies for kidney adverse effects associated with these therapies with drug-specific recommendations. We focus on frequently used anticancer agents with established kidney complications, including platinum-based chemotherapies (cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin), cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, ifosfamide, methotrexate and pemetrexed, among others.

Oxaliplatin immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: Is there a role for premedication or desensitization?

Oxaliplatin is a common chemotherapy agent that is used in the treatment of multiple solid malignancies. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a rare and potentially life-threatening adverse effect of oxaliplatin that is characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, which may be accompanied by overt bleeding. This adverse effect is probably mediated via anti-platelet antibodies that become reactive in the presence of oxaliplatin. Due to its rarity and severity, information is scarce regarding the effect of desensitization or attempts at rechallenge after prolonged withdrawal of oxaliplatin. This short report describes 3 cases of oxaliplatin immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, including a case occurring under desensitization protocol and a case of recurrence after a prolo nged withdrawal. All 3 patients are female, have prolonged exposures to oxaliplatin and were all treated for metastatic colorectal cancer. Physicians should be aware of oxaliplatin immune-mediated thrombocytopenia as symptoms may appear rapidly. Oxaliplatin should be permanently discontinued for patients experiencing this adverse effect, as recurrence is highly likely even in the setting of desensitization.

Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction, Fe and rhEPO based on colon cancer-related anemia model and gut microbiota modulation

Colon cancer-related anemia (CCRA) is mainly caused by systemic inflammation, intestinal bleeding, iron deficiency and chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in colon cancer. However, the best therapeutic schedule and related mechanism on CCRA were still uncertain. Studies on blood enrichment and anti-tumor effects of combined Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), Fe and rhEPO based on CCRA and gut microbiota modulation were conducted in this paper. Here, CCRA model was successfully induced by subcutaneous inoculation of CT-26 and i.p. oxaliplatin, rhEPO + DBD high dosage + Fe (EDF) and rhEPO + DBD high dosage (ED) groups had the best blood enrichment effect. Attractively, EDF group also showed antitumor activity. The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that compared to P group, the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae and opportunistic pathogen (Odoribacter) in ED and EDF groups were decreased. Interestingly, EDF also decreased the relative abundances of cancer-related bacteria (Helicobacter, Lactococcus, Alloprevotella) and imbalance-inducing bacteria (Escherichia-Shigella and Parabacteroides) and increased the relative abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria (Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014), however, ED showed the opposite effects to EDF, this might be the reason of the smaller tumor volume in EDF group. Our findings proposed the best treatment combination of DBD, rhEPO and Fe in CCRA and provided theoretical basis and literature reference for CCRA-induced intestinal flora disorder and the regulatory mechanism of EDF.

Kidney injury and disease in patients with haematological malignancies

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with cancer, especially in those with haematological malignancies. Kidney injury might be a direct consequence of the underlying haematological condition. For example, in the case of lymphoma infiltration or extramedullary haematopoiesis, it might be caused by a tumour product; in the case of cast nephropathy it might be due to the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin; or it might result from tumour complications, such as hypercalcaemia. Kidney injury might also be caused by cancer treatment, as many chemotherapeutic agents are nephrotoxic. High-intensity treatments, such as high-dose chemotherapy followed by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, not only increase the risk of infection but can also cause AKI through various mechanisms, including viral nephropathies, engraftment syndrome and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. Some conditions, such as thrombotic microangiopathy, might also result directly from the haematological condition or the treatment. Novel immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, can also be nephrotoxic. As new therapies for haematological malignancies with increased anti-tumour efficacy and reduced toxicity are developed, the number of patients receiving these treatments will increase. Clinicians must gain a good understanding of the different mechanisms of kidney injury associated with cancer to better care for these patients.

Acute Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia due to Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan Therapy

We describe a case of a 63-year-old woman with advanced colon cancer and liver metastases who was treated with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and cetuximab chemotherapy. She tolerated 13 cycles of chemotherapy without any significant hematological side effects, but after the 14th cycle, she developed melena and was admitted for severe thrombocytopenia. After supportive care, the platelet counts rapidly improved to 76,000/μL. Upon initiation of FOLFIRI and cetuximab chemotherapy, she again developed rectal bleeding and severe thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 6000/μL. Lab testing was positive for oxaliplatin and irinotecan drug-dependent platelet antibodies on flow cytometry assay. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) is associated with several classes of drugs with several proposed underlying mechanisms. Prospective studies are needed to further address different mechanisms of drug-induced thrombocytopenia.

Oxaliplatin-induced renal tubular vacuolization

OBJECTIVE

Chemotherapy with oxaliplatin is used for a wide range of malignancies. Unlike other platinum derivatives, oxaliplatin has less nephrotoxicity. However, in recent years, there have been multiple reports of different forms of renal toxicity related to this agent.

CASE SUMMARY

A 40-year-old woman with colon adenocarcinoma developed jaundice, hematuria, and oliguria after the 36th cycle of oxaliplatin chemotherapy. Laboratory data revealed severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased creatinine, indirect hyperbilirubinemia, and high lactate dehydrogenase. A negative direct antiglobulin test and presence of <1% schistocytes in the peripheral blood smear stood against the diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Renal biopsy was consistent with interstitial nephritis with tubular vacuolization in favor of drug-induced renal injury. Based on the Naranjo Probability Scale, the likelihood of oxaliplatin-induced renal injury in this case was probable.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of renal tubular vacuolization with symptoms mimicking thrombotic microangiopathy in a patient on long-term chemotherapy with oxaliplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxaliplatin can induce various forms of nephrotoxicity such as renal tubular vacuolization, acute tubular necrosis, renal tubular acidosis, and acute kidney injury secondary to hematological toxicity. Monitoring for renal function abnormalities and hemolysis should be considered during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Oxaliplatin-induced immune-mediated cytopenias: a case report and literature review

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum antineoplastic agent that commonly causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, and peripheral neuropathy. Less common adverse effects that are increasingly being reported include acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and pancytopenia. Here, we report a patient case of suspected oxaliplatin-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and a thorough literature evaluation of acute oxaliplatin-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and pancytopenia that has yet to be reported until now. There have been 39 previously published reports of these cytopenic events with a median number of 16 treatment cycles prior to presentation. Patients experiencing unusual signs and symptoms such as chills, rigors, fever, back pain, abdominal pain, ecchymosis, hematemesis, hematuria, dark urine, hematochezia, petechiae, epistaxis, or mental status changes during or shortly after an oxaliplatin infusion should have complete blood counts ordered and evaluated promptly.

Severe acute tubular necrosis observed subsequent to oxaliplatin administration

A 67-year-old man known for metastatic colon cancer received treatment with oxaliplatin and developed severe acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. Renal biopsy revealed severe acute tubular necrosis. Acute kidney injury is a rare but severe adverse effect of oxaliplatin administration.

[Hemolytic anemia under erlotinib treatment]

Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely prescribed of which the most common sides effects are grade I or II rash and diarrhea. We report two cases of hemolytic anemia (HA) induced by erlotinib. Our two patients were treated with erlotinib after a prior line of systemic platinum-doublet therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Both patients presented, shortly after starting treatment with erlotinib, an HA which was fatal for one of them. To our knowledge, this major side effect of erlotinib has not been reported in the literature. We will try through this article to make a literature review of the most important side effects of erlotinib and we will also focus on the HA induced by other molecules used in oncology.

Transient severe hyperbilirubinemia after hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin in patients with liver metastases

PURPOSE

We have observed severe, but rapidly reversible, hyperbilirubinemia in patients receiving hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of oxaliplatin. We performed a retrospective analysis to characterize this unusual phenomenon.

METHODS

We reviewed the electronic medical records of 113 consecutive patients receiving HAI oxaliplatin to describe the associated hyperbilirubinemia.

RESULTS

Four of 113 patients (3.5 %) presented with transient, severe (grade 3/4) hyperbilirubinemia post-HAI oxaliplatin. Peak levels of total bilirubin within 10-16 h of starting HAI oxaliplatin were 4.6, 12.2, 12.8, and 21.2 mg/dL and declined rapidly (within 24 after stopping treatment). One out of four patients experienced severe abdominal pain, and another patient had an infusion reaction (hypertension and hypoxemia) that reversed after discontinuation of infusion. Total bilirubin was predominantly direct. No significant decline in hemoglobin or increase in alkaline phosphatase occurred. Increase in liver transaminases post-infusion was mild to moderate (grades 1-3) and was seen after HAI oxaliplatin regardless of the emerged hyperbilirubinemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe hyperbilirubinemia is a rare but rapidly reversible adverse effect of HAI oxaliplatin and may be accompanied by an abdominal pain syndrome or infusion reaction. Treating physicians should be aware for the potential of this reaction. The mechanism of this unusual reaction merits further investigation.

Oxaliplatin-related thrombocytopenia

Oxaliplatin is a third generation platinum compound that inhibits DNA synthesis, mainly through intrastrandal cross-links in DNA. Most of the experience with the clinical use of this drug is derived from colorectal cancer but it is also used in other tumor types such as ovary, breast, liver and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Thrombocytopenia is a frequent toxicity seen during oxaliplatin treatment, occurring at any grade in up to 70% of patients and leading to delays or even discontinuation of the chemotherapy. Although myelossupression is recognized as the main cause of oxaliplatin-related thrombocytopenia, new mechanisms for this side-effect have emerged, including splenic sequestration of platelets related to oxaliplatin-induced liver damage and immune thrombocytopenia. These new pathophysiology pathways have different clinical presentations and evolution and may need specific therapeutic maneuvers. This article attempts to review this topic and provides useful clinical information for the management of oxaliplatin-related thrombocytopenia.

Oxaliplatin induced disseminated intravascular coagulation: A case report and review of literature

Oxaliplatin in combination with a fluoropyrimide is a treatment option for colorectal cancer patients in the adjuvant and metastatic settings. Very few hematological emergencies have been reported associated with Oxaliplatin. These include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia. We present a case report of a patient who developed hematuria and disseminated intravascular coagulation while receiving the second cycle of FOLFOX and bevacizumab for metastatic colon cancer.

Sudden-onset pancytopenia with intracranial hemorrhage after oxaliplatin treatment: a case report and literature review

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum compound and has been widely employed in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Despite its good efficacy, it is reported to induce immune-mediated cytopenia. We report the case of a 78-year-old male patient who experienced acute pancytopenia along with coagulopathy and intracranial hemorrhage after his 17th course of oxaliplatin. This condition appeared immediately after completion of oxaliplatin infusion, and was persistent despite aggressive transfusion and treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The patient died 72 h after the administration of oxaliplatin. The only preceding symptom was chills 30 min after initiation of oxaliplatin, although steroid was given as premedication. We review the literature describing oxaliplatin-induced cytopenia, and discuss the manifestation, immune mechanism and treatment of this condition. We conclude that any symptoms that occur during infusion of oxaliplatin should not be overlooked but should be taken seriously as they may represent 'a little spark that kindles a great fire', and that steroids may provide an effective treatment for oxaliplatin-induced cytopenia. However, a major complication in our patient may still happen. Further studies for the mechanism and the predictive markers of oxaliplatin-induced cytopenia are worthy.

Hypersensitivity reaction and acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia from oxaliplatin: two case reports and a review of the literature

Background

Oxaliplatin is a platinum compound used in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, including colorectal cancer. The incidence of hypersensitivity reaction in patients receiving oxaliplatin is approximately 15%, with severe reaction (grade 3 and 4) occurring in 2% of patients.

Case presentation

We report two patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who developed de novo hypersensitivity reaction and acute thrombocytopenia after oxaliplatin infusion. Both patients had oxaliplatin treatment several years before and exhibited hypersensitivity on the third dose of oxaliplatin in recent treatment. Oxaliplatin was discontinued when clinical reaction was identified. Both patients were confirmed to have strong oxaliplatin-induced IgG platelet-reactive antibodies. Both patients' thrombocytopenia resolved within two weeks after discontinuation of oxaliplatin. One patient had disease stabilization lasting for three months without chemotherapy. Both patients subsequently received other chemotherapeutic agents without evidence of hypersensitivity reaction or immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion

We recommend vigilant monitoring of complete blood count and signs and symptoms of bleeding after the occurrence of oxaliplatin-induced hypersensitivity to avoid serious complications of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Oxaliplatin-Induced Haemolytic Anaemia: A Case Report

Oxaliplatin plus 5Fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin (LV) is the standard treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We describe a rare clinical case of acute renal failure probably oxaliplatin-related at one day from the end of the palliative treatment. A 36 year-old woman developed a stage I CRC. Five months later a liver lesion was detected and treated with FOLFOX4 schedule. Because of progression the patient underwent surgery and she repeated the Oxaliplatin-based therapy for more than one cycle. After many months of therapy, on the second day, the patient noticed urine discoloration. Immediate urinanalysis demonstrated haemoglobinuria. The patient's complete blood count exhibited signs consistent with acute hemolysis, neutrophilic leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. She was treated with blood transfusion and hemodialysis and she was managed conservatively with monitored intravenous hydration and loop diuretics. The patient gradually recovered and the results of successive hematological and biochemical tests confirmed the improvement of her condition but a cardiologic evaluation showed a iatrogenic depressed systolic function (ejection fraction of 40%).

Evidence based therapeutic apheresis in autoimmune and other hemolytic anemias

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews recent publications that bear on the evidential basis for therapeutic apheresis in diseases in which hemolytic anemia is a prominent feature.

RECENT FINDINGS

Therapeutic plasma exchange continues to be reported sporadically in severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia, with inconsistent results. Autoimmune deficiency of ADAMTS13 has provided a compelling rationale for therapeutic plasma exchange in some patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; conversely such deficiency is consistently absent in certain clinically similar syndromes for which therapeutic plasma exchange is not or may not be beneficial. Refinements in assays for ADAMTS13 should further clarify its role in idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Oral iron chelators have shown promise in recent trials in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease and may provide an alternative to red cell exchange to prevent iron overload.

SUMMARY

The proper role of therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia remains uncertain. Therapeutic plasma exchange continues to be indicated for idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura regardless of ADAMTS13 levels, but more accessible and physiological ADAMTS13 assays may raise questions about the rationale for and value of plasma exchange in ADAMTS13 nondeficient patients. Oral iron chelation may obviate the need for red cell exchange as a means to prevent iron overload in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease.