Ten tips for an onco-nephrology clinic

TL;DR

This paper provides 10 practical tips for managing kidney-related issues in cancer patients receiving long-term therapies.

Contribution

The paper introduces a structured guide for onco-nephrology clinics to address kidney toxicity in cancer treatment.

Findings

Accurate assessment of glomerular filtration rate is crucial for treatment decisions in special populations.

Supportive therapies are needed for patients with acute kidney injury during cancer treatment.

Pharmacologic strategies help manage cancer therapy during kidney dysfunction.

Abstract

An increasing number of cancer patients are benefiting from long term cancer-directed therapy with an ever-expanding arsenal of novel agents from monoclonal antibodies to small molecules and cellular therapies in addition to the mainstay cytotoxic chemotherapy. All these therapies are accompanied by a unique array of adverse events, which include kidney toxicity. In this context, the need for onco-nephrology expertise continues to grow. Oncologists and hematologists collaborate closely with onco-nephrologists to determine: (i) treatment options for special populations based on accurate assessment of patients’ glomerular filtration rate, (ii) supportive therapies for those whose treatment course is complicated by acute kidney injury, and (iii) pharmacologic strategies to continue or restart cancer therapy during kidney dysfunction. Here we outline 10 tips for common clinical scenarios in an outpatient onco-nephrology clinic.

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