Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy

The emergence of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) as a preferred treatment for various malignancies, because of its reduced cardiotoxicity compared with conventional doxorubicin, has raised significant interest. However, the association between PLD and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) remains a...

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Main Authors: Tarek S. Karam, Mrinalini Sarkar, Jonathan E. Zuckerman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Kidney Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590059525000342
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author Tarek S. Karam
Mrinalini Sarkar
Jonathan E. Zuckerman
author_facet Tarek S. Karam
Mrinalini Sarkar
Jonathan E. Zuckerman
author_sort Tarek S. Karam
collection DOAJ
description The emergence of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) as a preferred treatment for various malignancies, because of its reduced cardiotoxicity compared with conventional doxorubicin, has raised significant interest. However, the association between PLD and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) remains a concerning and relatively rare complication. Here, we present the case of an 80-year-old man with metastatic Kaposi sarcoma who underwent extended PLD monotherapy, subsequently developing kidney-limited TMA demonstrated on kidney biopsy. This led to acute kidney injury necessitating hemodialysis. The patient’s clinical history, laboratory, and kidney biopsy data supported PLD chemotherapy as the primary etiologic factor for the observed kidney-limited TMA, an insidious condition with poor prognosis. This report highlights the need for vigilance and early kidney biopsy in patients with rising serum creatinine concentrations or worsening proteinuria/hematuria during PLD therapy. Understanding the mechanisms underlying PLD-induced TMA, likely involving reactive oxygen species-mediated endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation, remains a crucial area for future research to optimize monitoring and management strategies for this rare yet severe complication associated with PLD therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-41cf151b0826403fb91c68f2a5d9eb792025-08-20T02:24:59ZengElsevierKidney Medicine2590-05952025-05-017510099810.1016/j.xkme.2025.100998Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic MicroangiopathyTarek S. Karam0Mrinalini Sarkar1Jonathan E. Zuckerman2Department of Nephrology, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Address for Correspondence: Tarek S. Karam, MD, University of California, Los Angeles Division of Nephrology, Factor Building 7-155, 700 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095.Department of Nephrology, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CADepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CAThe emergence of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) as a preferred treatment for various malignancies, because of its reduced cardiotoxicity compared with conventional doxorubicin, has raised significant interest. However, the association between PLD and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) remains a concerning and relatively rare complication. Here, we present the case of an 80-year-old man with metastatic Kaposi sarcoma who underwent extended PLD monotherapy, subsequently developing kidney-limited TMA demonstrated on kidney biopsy. This led to acute kidney injury necessitating hemodialysis. The patient’s clinical history, laboratory, and kidney biopsy data supported PLD chemotherapy as the primary etiologic factor for the observed kidney-limited TMA, an insidious condition with poor prognosis. This report highlights the need for vigilance and early kidney biopsy in patients with rising serum creatinine concentrations or worsening proteinuria/hematuria during PLD therapy. Understanding the mechanisms underlying PLD-induced TMA, likely involving reactive oxygen species-mediated endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation, remains a crucial area for future research to optimize monitoring and management strategies for this rare yet severe complication associated with PLD therapy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590059525000342Doxilkidney biopsyonconephrologypegylated liposomal doxorubicinthrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)renal pathology
spellingShingle Tarek S. Karam
Mrinalini Sarkar
Jonathan E. Zuckerman
Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Kidney Medicine
Doxil
kidney biopsy
onconephrology
pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)
renal pathology
title Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
title_full Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
title_fullStr Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
title_full_unstemmed Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
title_short Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-Associated Renal-limited Thrombotic Microangiopathy
title_sort acute kidney injury secondary to pegylated liposomal doxorubicin associated renal limited thrombotic microangiopathy
topic Doxil
kidney biopsy
onconephrology
pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)
renal pathology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590059525000342
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AT jonathanezuckerman acutekidneyinjurysecondarytopegylatedliposomaldoxorubicinassociatedrenallimitedthromboticmicroangiopathy