Renal outcomes of radioligand therapy: experience of (177)lutetium—prostate-specific membrane antigen ligand therapy in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Radioligand therapy (RLT) with (177)lutetium (Lu)-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands has been increasingly used in recent years for therapy of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Studies have revealed that (177)Lu-PSMA ligand therapy is well tolerated and appears to cause fewer adverse effects than current standard of care third-line treatments. Notably, since (177)Lu-PSMA agents are predominantly excreted by kidneys, there are concerns relating to their potential nephrotoxicity and renal outcomes. Although many recent studies have focused on mostly nephrotoxic adverse reactions at up to 3-month follow-up, assessment of renal outcomes after (177)Lu-PSMA RLT in longer term follow-up is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of (177)Lu-PSMA RLT on renal function in patients treated for mCRPC at >3 months post-therapy. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed 195 men with progressive mCRPC who had received therapy with (177)Lu-PSMA as second- or third-line after standard therapeutic interventions. Patients underwent investigations with (68)Ga-PSMA-ligand positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan to confirm PSMA-expressing mCRPC. Eligible patients were required to have estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >30 mL/min/1.73 m(2), an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score <3, no severe liver injury (as characterized by liver function tests) and no significant bone marrow dysfunction. Enrolled patients received two to five cycles of intravenous (177)Lu-PSMA I&T or (177)Lu-PSMA-617, at 6- to 10-week intervals. Renal outcomes were assessed according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines as incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), acute kidney disease (AKD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). All assessments and tests were undertaken between therapy cycles and at follow-up of at least 3 months. RESULTS: Of 195 assessed men with mCRPC, 110 patients aged [mean ± SD (range)] 70 ± 8 (53–92) years were recruited into this study with median follow-up of 8 (interquartile range 5–12, minimum 3, maximum 29) months and mean baseline eGFR 81 ± 13 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Pre-existing CKD was identified in 12% of patients. None of the patients experienced an AKI during RLT. Two AKD and three CKD G3a cases were identified. Analysis of possible impact of prior CKD and major risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, history of AKI) on incidence of AKD or CKD demonstrated relative risk 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–14.29] and 1.91 (95% CI 1.14–3.12), respectively. However, Fisher’s exact test did not reveal statistical significance of the impact of both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Current Lu-PSMA RLT protocols appear to carry a mild nephrotoxic risk with the rate of about 4.5%. Prior CKD is potentially the most significant risk factor of post-RLT renal dysfunction.