Renal Toxicity Associated with Weekly Cisplatin and Gemcitabine Combination Therapy for Treatment of Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

Objective: A combination of weekly cisplatin plus gemcitabine is a new standard regimen for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). This regimen does not require prolonged hydration schedules; however, the long-time safety profile has not been evaluated so far. In particular, the aim of this study was to evaluate the renal function during this regimen. Methods: We reviewed 79 consecutive patients with BTC who received the weekly cisplatin plus gemcitabine regimen. The incidence of adverse events was evaluated by CTCAE v4.0. Results: A total of 402 courses were administered. The median cumulative dose of cisplatin. was 250 mg (range: 25-825). The renal function was exacerbated gradually throughout the treatment course. The incidence of a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at <50 ml/min was significantly related to a pretreatment GFR at <80 ml/min and a total dose of cisplatin >400 mg [p = 0.011, odds ratio (OR) 58.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5-1334.0 and p = 0.021, OR 18.3, 95% CI: 1.6-215.5]. Conclusions: The combination of weekly cisplatin and gemcitabine for advanced BTC gradually affected the renal function, and it was highly recommended to focus on both the change of GFR and total dose of cisplatin during this regimen. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel