Pazopanib in renal cell carcinoma dialysis patients: A mini-review and a case report

Background: Sporadic data are available about pazopanib use in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) undergoing dialysis and no systematic review has been previously performed about this issue. Objective: The objective of the present mini-review is to provide an overview of clinical outcomes of pazopanib in this population, in order to support the clinical oncologist for the treatment choice and management. Results: All the literature ever published about mRCC dialysis patients receiving pazopanib, until August 2015, was evaluated: only two case series emerged from our search and one more patient from our department was also included, with a total of 11 mRCC dialysis patients overall. Moreover, we described our case of intrapatient dose titration of pazopanib during dialysis. Conclusion: The continued treatment schedule, the short half-life, the predominantly hepatic metabolism, the wide possibility of dose modulation, the favorable tolerability profile and the similar efficacy respect to sunitinib represent factors in favor of pazopanib as first line mRCC treatment in dialysis patients. The knowledge and the good management of toxicity during pazopanib treatment can lead, also in dialysis patients, to the best and longest application of the drug, taking into account the concept of a dose escalation guided by toxicity as a marker of efficacy. The review, together with our single case report, confirmed the efficacy, the good tolerability and the maneuverability of pazopanib treatment in mRCC patients undergoing dialysis.