Dasatinib-induced nephrotic syndrome in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Dasatinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Here, we report the case of a man with nephrotic syndrome that was caused by dasatinib. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old man with chronic myeloid leukemia was referred to our hospital because of proteinuria 1 month after dasatinib therapy was introduced. A percutaneous kidney biopsy was performed, diffuse glomerular endothelial injury and effacement of the foot process were noted, and the patient was diagnosed with dasatinib-induced nephrotic syndrome. Additionally, in an electron microscopy study, randomly arranged fibrils were observed in the mesangial and subendothelial regions. Switching from dasatinib to nilotinib led to a decrease in the proteinuria level, from 12 to 0.6 g/g creatinine, within 2 weeks. The patient was discharged from our department on the 25th day after hospitalization, without any drug aftereffects. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-related nephrotic syndrome should be considered when nephrotic syndrome develops during treatment with dasatinib.