The Effect of Intravenous Mannitol Combined With Normal Saline in Preventing Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Nephrotoxicity is a major dose-limiting toxicity among patients with cancer who were treated with cisplatin. Although no standard approach is available to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, administering intravenous isotonic saline is recommended. Additionally, mannitol combined with hydration has been evaluated, but none of them have been established. Our study aimed to determine the efficacy of mannitol combined hydration to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled design. All patients with solid cancers who were treated with cisplatin (n = 48) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n = 25) or 20 g of mannitol (n = 23) after completing 2 L of prehydration and receiving cisplatin. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, electrolyte, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured at baseline and days 2 and 7. Moreover, GFR was calculated based on the 24-hour urine creatinine clearance rate to assess renal function at baseline and 48 hours after receiving cisplatin. Severity of nausea and vomiting was evaluated using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS: No difference was found regarding baseline characteristics between the two groups. Seven of 23 patients (37.4%) in the mannitol group and 10 of 25 patients (40%) in the placebo group increased serum creatinine level ≥ 0.3 mg/dL at 48 hours after intervention (P value = .48). Patients receiving mannitol exhibited significantly lower incidence of 24-hour urine GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m than those in the placebo group (13.6% v 48.0% in the placebo group; P value = .012). Univariate analysis showed the greatest benefit for administering mannitol among patients receiving cisplatin > 80 mg/m(2), or patients receiving concomitant radiation. CONCLUSION: Mannitol combined with hydration significantly prevented cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Additionally, mannitol should be particularly considered among patients with cancer, treated with cisplatin > 80 mg/m(2), or patients receiving concomitant radiation.