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Renal toxicity of anticancer agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs)

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Abstract

Since angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth, progression and metastasization, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) agents have been developed over the years as anticancer agents, and have changed, for the better, the natural history of a number of cancer types. In the present review, the renal safety profile of presently available agents targeting either VEGF or VEGFRs will be discussed, together with the peculiarities related to their clinical use in patients with impaired renal function, or even in dialysis. Indeed, renal toxicity (especially, but not exclusively, hypertension and proteinuria) are quite commonly observed with these agents, and may be increased by the concomitant use of cytoxic chemotherapeutics. Despite all the above, kidney impairment or dialysis must not be regarded di per se as reasons not to administer or to stop an active anticancer treatment, especially considering the possibility of a significant survival improvement in many cancer patients treated with these agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Ambulatory of Onco-Nephrology, Istituti Ospitalieri Cremona, Largo Priori, 1, 26100, Cremona, Italy

    Laura Cosmai

  2. Nephrology and Dialysis, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Milan, Italy

    Maurizio Gallieni

  3. Medical Oncology, Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy

    Wanda Liguigli

  4. Medical Oncology, I.R.C.C.S. San Matteo University Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy

    Camillo Porta

  5. Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Milan, Italy

    Laura Cosmai, Maurizio Gallieni & Camillo Porta

  6. Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) Working Group on Onco-Nephrology, Bologna, Italy

    Laura Cosmai, Maurizio Gallieni & Camillo Porta

Authors
  1. Laura Cosmai
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  2. Maurizio Gallieni
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  3. Wanda Liguigli
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  4. Camillo Porta
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Correspondence to Laura Cosmai.

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Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: LC, nothing to disclose; MG, nothing to disclose; WL, nothing to disclose; CP, nothing to disclose.

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Cosmai, L., Gallieni, M., Liguigli, W. et al. Renal toxicity of anticancer agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs). J Nephrol 30, 171–180 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-016-0311-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-016-0311-8

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