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Renal toxicity of anticancer agents targeting HER2 and EGFR

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Abstract

EGFR and HER2 are found overexpressed and/or activated in many different human malignancies (e.g. breast and colon cancer), and a number of drugs specifically targeting these two tyrosine kinases have been developed over the years as anticancer agents. In the present review, the renal safety profile of presently available agents targeting either HER2 or EGFR will be discussed, together with the peculiarities related to their clinical use in patients with impaired renal function, or even in dialysis. Indeed, even though renal toxicity is not so common with these agents, it may nevertheless happen, especially when these agents are combined with traditional chemotherapeutic agents. As a whole, kidney impairment or dialysis should not be regarded per se as reasons not to administer or to stop an active anti-HER or anti-EGFR anticancer treatment, especially given the possibility of significantly improving the life expectancy of many cancer patients with the use of these agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Largo Priori, 1, 26100, Cremona, Italy

    Laura Cosmai

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

    Maurizio Gallieni

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

    Camillo Porta

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

    Laura Cosmai, Maurizio Gallieni & Camillo Porta

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

    Laura Cosmai, Maurizio Gallieni & Camillo Porta

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  1. Laura Cosmai
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  2. Maurizio Gallieni
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Correspondence to Camillo Porta.

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Cosmai, L., Gallieni, M. & Porta, C. Renal toxicity of anticancer agents targeting HER2 and EGFR. J Nephrol 28, 647–657 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-015-0226-9

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