title: Renal toxicity of anticancer agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs).
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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Ambulatory of Onco-Nephrology, Istituti Ospitalieri Cremona, Largo Priori, 1, 26100, Cremona, Italy. lacos@iol.it.|Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Milan, Italy. lacos@iol.it.|Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) Working Group on Onco-Nephrology, Bologna, Italy. lacos@iol.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cosmai
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Milan, Italy.|Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Milan, Italy.|Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) Working Group on Onco-Nephrology, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallieni
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liguigli
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, I.R.C.C.S. San Matteo University Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy.|Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), Milan, Italy.|Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) Working Group on Onco-Nephrology, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Camillo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porta
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
keywords: Antiangiogenic agents; Hypertension; Proteinuria; Renal toxicity; VEGF; VEGFR