Evaluation of Renal Function Using the Level of NeutrophilGelatinase-Associated Lipocalin is Not Predictive ofNephrotoxicity Associated with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy

Background: For early detection of renal damage during the usage of cisplatin based chemotherapy, changesin renal function should be monitored carefully. In recent years, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, asmall polypeptide molecule, has shown promise as a marker of acute renal failure. The aim of this present studywas to assess possible risk prediction of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using serum NGAL. Materials and
Methods: A total of 34 consecutive patients with documented serum creatinine at least 24 hours before everycycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy were included in the study. Demographic and medical data including age,performance status, tumor characteristics and comorbid diseases were collected from medical charts. Renalfunction was evaluated at least 48 hours before the treatment and at the end of the treatment based on theModification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Before and after cisplatin infusion serum NGAL levelswere measured for the first and 3rd cycles of chemotherapy.
Results: The median age of the study population was54 (32-70) years. Fifteen patients (41.1%) were treated on an adjuvant basis, whereas 19 patients (58.9%) weretreated for metastatic disease. There was no correlation of serum NGAL levels with serum creatinine (r=0.20,p=0.26) and MDRD (r=-0.12, p=0.50) and creatinine clearance-Cockcroft-Gault (r=-0.22, p=0.22) after cisplatininfusion at the end of the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy.
Conclusions: In our study, serum NGAL levels were notcorrelated with the cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. Further prospective studies are needed to conclude thatserum NGAL level is not a good surrogate marker to predict early cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity.