Anticancer drugs effects on renal, retinal, neuronal and cardiovascular events

ClassAgentsAdverse outcomesMechanismsReferences
Nephropathy
mTOR inhibitorsEverolimus
Temsirolimus
Increased creatinine
Increased UAE
Hyperglycaemia and urinary infections[67, 104, 105]
Multi-target
TKIs
Pazopanib
Sunitinib
Sorafenib
Axitinib
Increased UAE
Nephrotic syndrome
Glomerular endothelial damage;
Podocyte damage
[67, 104, 107, 108]
Anti-VEGFBevacizumab
Aflibercept
Increased UAEGlomerular endothelial damage;
Podocyte damage
[104, 107, 108]
ICIsIpilimumab
Nivolumab
Pembrolizumab
Acute interstitial nephritisDelayed hyper-sensitivity with granulomatous reaction (CD4+ T cells and macrophage activation, gamma-interferon production);
Podocyte damage
[108110]
Retinopathy
Anti-oestrogenTamoxifenRetinal exudates and haemorrhagesRetinal thromboembolism[111114]
Alkylating agentsCisplatin
Carboplatin
Carmustine
Retinal ischaemia and neovascularizationRetinal thrombosis with vascular occlusion (phospholipase A2 and platelet hyperactivation)[114, 115]
ICIsNivolumabRetinal vessels occlusion
Retinal thinning
Autoimmune (abs against retinal proteins)[116]
Oral anti-VEGFPazopanib
Sunitinib
Sorafenib
Retinal vessels bleeding/occlusion
Retinal detachment
Macular oedema
Alterations of choroidal vascular permeability;
Microvascular events (microemboli)
[119]
MAPK inhibitorsSelumetinib
Binimetinib
Pimasertib
Retinal vessels occlusion
Retinal detachment
Subretinal fluid
Alterations of choroidal vascular permeability;
Autoimmune (abs against retinal proteins)
[117120]
Neuropathy
IMIDsTalidomideSensory neuropathyInhibition neurotrophic factors (NGF, NF-kB);
Reduced angiogenic factors
[121, 122]
Proteasome inhibitorBortezomibSensory and autonomic neuropathyInhibition neurotrophic factors (NF-kB);
Autoimmune;
miRNA dysregulation (miR-20a, -29b, -34a, -128, -181, -342-3p, -17-92)
[121123]
Cardiovascular disease
AnthracyclinesDoxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
LV dysfunction/HFIncreased ROS;
Mitochondrial dysfunction;
Apoptosis
[124, 125, 128, 129]
Anti-HER2 drugsTrastuzumab
Lapatinib
Pertuzumab
LV dysfunction/HF
Hypertension
ErbB2 inhibition with apoptosis of cardiomyocytes[124, 125, 128, 130]
Anti-VEGF and
Multi-target TKIs
Bevacizumab
Pazopanib
Sunitinib
Sorafenib
Vandetanib
Regorafenib
Axitinib
LV dysfunction/HF
Hypertension
Myocardial ischemia (rare)
Atherosclerosis
NO-mediated dysregulation of endothelial homeostasis[124, 128]
Anti BCR-ABL1Imatinib
Nilotinib
Ponatinib
QTc prolongation
HF
Increased ROS;
Mitochondrial dysfunction;
Cardiomyocytes apoptosis
[124, 128]
ICIsIpilimumab
Nivolumab
Pembrolizumab
Rare cases of:
- Myocardial fibrosis
- Immune myocarditis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Acute HF
- Lethal myocarditis
Immune-mediated damages*[124, 132]
Proteasome inhibitorsBortezomib
Carfilzomib
Ixazomib
Oprozomib
LV dysfunction
Hypertension
Myocardial infarction (rare)
Cardiac arrest (rare)
Increased ROS;
Mitochondrial dysfunction
[128, 131]
Antimetabolites5-FU
Capecitabine
Gemcitabine
Coronary spasms/ischemiaIncreased ROS;
NO reduction;
Increased thrombogenicity
[127, 128]
TaxanesDocetaxel
Paclitaxel
Bradycardia
LV dysfunction
Ischemia
Alteration of tubulin polymerisation and cell division;
Stimulation of histamine receptors
[126, 128]

indicates the uncertainty of the evidence on this item; mTOR: mammalian target of rapamycin; UAE: urinary albumin excretion; TKIs: tyrosine kinase inhibitors; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; ICIs: immune checkpoint inhibitors; Abs: antibodies; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; IMIDs: immunomodulatory drugs; NGF: nerve growth factor; NF-kB: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; miRNA: microRNA; LV: left ventricular; HF: heart failure; ROS: reactive oxygen species; HER2: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; NO: nitric oxide; BCR-ABL: breakpoint cluster region Abelson gene; QTc: corrected QT; 5-FU: 5-Fluorouracil