[Urinary biomarkers of kidney injury in patients treated with anti-VEGF drugs].

BACKGROUND: Antiangiogenic drugs are widely used in oncological practice and are aimed at inhibiting angiogenesis. Despite the high antitumor efficacy, their use may be limited by nephrotoxicity, and therefore the search for early biomarkers of kidney damage remains relevant, which will preserve a favorable safety profile of therapy. AIM: To determine urinary biomarkers of tubular and podocyte damage in patients receiving treatment with antiangiogenic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients (n=50) who received intravenous anti-VEGF drugs (aflibercept, bevacizumab, ramucirumab) in various chemotherapy regimens. Concentrations of tubular damage markers KIM-1 (Kidney Injury Molecule-1) and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin), hypoxia marker HIF-1 (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha) in urine samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before treatment, and during 8 weeks of treatment. To assess the risk factors for kidney damage, a logistic regression analysis was performed with the inclusion of the main clinical and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: A decrease in the calculated GFR of CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Formula) of less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at week 8 of treatment was noted in 42% of patients. An increase in NGAL, KIM-1, HIF-1 and nephrin in urine during the first two weeks of therapy predicted the development of renal damage by the 8th week of follow-up. When constructing ROC-curves, the high sensitivity and specificity of these urinary indicators as prognostic markers were established. Among the clinical and laboratory indicators, independent unfavorable prognostic factors of nephrotoxicity were an initial decrease in eGFR, a history of hypertension, an increase in the concentration of KIM-1 and HIF-1 in urine during the first two weeks of therapy. CONCLUSION: The predictors of renal damage in the treatment with antiangiogenic drugs were previously an increase in NGAL, KIM-1 and HIF-1 in urine during the first two weeks after the start of therapy.

[Clinical and laboratory signs and risk factors for nephrotoxicity, associated with antiangiogenic drugs].

BACKGROUND: Anti-angiogenic anticancer drugs that block the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway can cause renal damage. Assessment of the risk of nephrotoxicity allows developing optimal treatment approaches and ensuring the relative safety of therapy. AIM: To assess early clinical and laboratory manifestations and risk factors for nephrotoxicity of antiangiogenic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients who received antiangiogenic drugs in different regimens of chemotherapy. Demographic factors, body mass index, blood pressure levels, type of antiangiogenic drug, and concomitant therapy were assessed. Before treatment and over a period of 8 weeks, the levels of hemoglobin, number of platelets and schistocytes, D-dimer levels, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, as well as daily proteinuria and serum creatinine and eGFRCKD-EPI were assessed. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess risk factors for nephrotoxicity and arterial hypertension (AH). RESULTS: The median age of patients was 46 [3457] years, 22 (44%) men and 28 (56%) women. AH developed in 52%, a decrease in eGFR in 42%, along with a decrease in hemoglobin levels and an increase in LDH levels at 2 weeks of therapy. The numbers of schistocytes and platelets significantly decreased by 8 weeks of therapy. Risk factors for impaired renal function during treatment with antiangiogenic drugs were an initial decrease in GFR less than 80 ml/min/1.73 m2, an increase in D-dimer levels, and a decrease in hemoglobin levels by 8 weeks of treatment. The risk factors for AH during therapy were the initial decrease in eGFR less than 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 and no prophylactic anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSION: Early signs of nephrotoxicity of antiangiogenic anticancer drugs were a decrease in eGFR and AH. The independent risk factors for nephrotoxicity were the initial decrease in eGFR, an increase in D-dimer levels, and a decrease in hemoglobin levels at 8 weeks of treatment, while the prophylactic use of anticoagulant therapy reduced this risk in our study.

[Nephrotoxicity of anti-angiogenesis drugs].

Neoangiogenesis is a basic factor for most physiological as well as pathological processes i.e. tumor metastases. The most important is vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR1/2) in angiogenesis processes. Nowadays antiangiogenic agents (which inhibit VEGF like bevacizumab neither VEGFR2 like ramucirumab) are widely used in very different chemotherapeutic regimens in clinical oncology. The signalling pathway VEGF-VEGFR plays a crucial role in supporting of adequate kidney function. Appearance of antiangiogenic drugs led to adverse nephrotoxic effects: arterial hypertension, proteinuria, rarely nephrotic syndrome, and kidney dysfunction. Various hystological variants of nephropathy are described, however, in most cases, signs of thrombotic microangiopathy of the renal vessels are noted. This literature review discusses mechanisms, clinical and morphological aspects of nephropathy associated with antiangiogenic drugs.