Transplanted kidney loss during colorectal cancer chemotherapy: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The overall risk of de novo malignancies in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is higher than that in the general population. It is associated with long-lasting exposure to immunosuppressive agents and impaired oncological vigilance due to chronic kidney disease. Colorectal cancer (CRC), frequently diagnosed in an advanced stage, is one of the most common malignancies in this cohort and is associated with poor prognosis. Still, because of the scarcity of data concerning adjuvant chemotherapy in this group, there are no clear guidelines for the specific management of the CRCs in KTRs. We present a patient who lost her transplanted kidney shortly after initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.

CASE SUMMARY

A 36-year-old woman with a medical history of kidney transplantation (2005) because of end-stage kidney disease, secondary to chronic glomerular nephritis, and long-term immunosuppression was diagnosed with locally advanced pT_4AN_1BM₀ (clinical stage III) colon adenocarcinoma G2. After right hemicolectomy, the patient was qualified to receive adjuvant chemotherapy that consisted of oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4). The deterioration of kidney graft function after two cycles caused chemotherapy cessation and initiation of hemodialysis therapy after a few months. Shortly after that, the patient started palliative chemotherapy because of cancer recurrence with intraperitoneal spread.

CONCLUSION

Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer increases the risk of rapid kidney graft loss driven also by under-immunosuppression.

Key Words: Kidney transplantation, Colorectal cancer, Adjuvant chemotherapy, Graft loss, Complications, Case report

Core tip: The occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in kidney transplant recipients is higher than that in the general population. Advanced stage CRC is usually associated with poor outcome. Adjuvant chemotherapy may accelerate the graft loss after kidney transplant.

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies both in the general population[1] and in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs)[2,3]. The risk of CRC development is reported to be higher in transplant patients because of long-lasting exposure to immunosuppressive agents[4]. Although the patient survival rate for the KTR population with advanced CRC (stage III/IV) at the time of diagnosis is worse, mainly due to higher rates of recurrence, there was no significant difference in a 5-year patient survival in early cancer[5]. CRC in KTRs displays atypical characteristics in terms of tumor location, polyp size, and occurrence. The rate of ascending colon cancer is higher, whereas the rate of rectal cancer is lower in the transplant group[5,6]. Also, the number and size of polyps observed in preoperative colonoscopy are greater than in control patients. One of the possible causes of the poorer survival of KTRs with advanced cancer may be insufficient CRC treatment, i.e., tendency to less frequent use of adjuvant chemotherapy[5,6] because of concerns associated with incompatibility with immunosuppression regimen and the risk of deterioration of kidney graft function. The above-mentioned obstacles preclude the formulation of clear guidelines for the management of CRC in KTRs.

Here, we present a patient with advanced colon cancer diagnosed 16 years after a successful kidney transplantation, presenting with an irreversible deterioration of kidney graft function shortly after the initiation of adjuvant CTH, to discuss the possible causes of kidney graft loss.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 36-year-old woman with a medical history of kidney transplantation in 2005, after recent right hemicolectomy due to locally advanced pT_4AN_1BM₀ (clinical stage III) colon adenocarcinoma (G2), was qualified (in March 2021) to adjuvant chemotherapy regimen based on oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4). At that time, the kidney graft function was satisfactory; however, the slow increase in serum creatinine up to 1.4 mg/dL was observed during the few preceding months. The blood tests showed anemia (hemoglobin, 8.4 g/dL), C-reactive protein 11.2 mg/L, CA-125 18.7 U/mL, and CEA 0.95 ng/mL. After two FOLFOX-4 cycles, substantial deterioration of kidney graft function was observed, resulting in the discontinuation of chemotherapy and return to hemodialysis.

History of present illness

In October 2020 (16 years post-transplant), the patient started to report recurrent mild abdominal pain without concomitant hematochezia, diarrhea, change in bowel motility, or weight loss. At the same time, a slight increase in serum creatinine from 1.0 to 1.4 mg/dL [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 45 mL/min/1.73 m²], with no proteinuria, was detected. In January 2021, the patient was admitted to a surgery department with clinical suspicion of herniation of the terminal ileum into the cecum. During surgery, a large cecal tumor was found (7 cm × 5.5 cm × 5 cm), and a right hemicolectomy with terminal ileum–transverse colon graft was performed. Histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma G2 invading the peritoneum and blood vessels, with metastases to two of 24 resected mesenteric lymph nodes (pT_4AN_1B) – corresponding to clinical stage III. A multidisciplinary team qualified the patient to adjuvant chemotherapy (FOLFOX-4), which was suspended due to abdominal wall abscess after the previous surgery. On March 17, 2021 (7 wk since hemicolectomy), the first FOLFOX-4 cycle was administered and the second was on April 1, 2021. However, the subsequent chemotherapy cycles were cancelled due to progressive kidney graft insufficiency. There was no deterioration of blood pressure control during CTH.

Meanwhile, immunosuppression was modified by conversion from mycophenolate mofetil 250 mg BID to everolimus 0.75 mg BID (Figure 1). Notably, during the subsequent 2 mo, the blood trough levels of everolimus were low (1.0–1.4 ng/mL). Finally, the drug was discontinued because of its poor gastric tolerance. In addition, the tacrolimus level started to fluctuate (with a nadir of 2.5 ng/mL), and de novo proteinuria was noticed up to 4.2 g/24 h. Lately, tacrolimus once daily was switched to twice daily formulation to achieve adequate blood trough levels. Serum creatinine level increased up to 3.4 mg/dL.

Figure 1 Changes in the immunosuppression therapy after hemicolectomy and diagnosis of colon cancer.

History of past illness

The patient was diagnosed with chronic glomerular nephritis at the age of 10 years. It was confirmed by kidney biopsy, and glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide were initiated. In 2001, hepatitis C virus infection was diagnosed, and the patient underwent a successful 12-mo interferon-γ treatment. Hypertension was diagnosed at the age of 18 years in the course of chronic kidney disease. The patient developed end-stage kidney disease and started hemodialysis at the age of 19 years (2004). After 8 mo of dialysis therapy, the patient underwent kidney transplantation (2005) with basiliximab induction. The kidney graft function on an immunosuppressive regimen consisting of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids was excellent, with serum creatinine of 1 mg/dL for many years. The immunosuppression schedule was modified between 4 and 8 years post-transplant by converting mycophenolate to azathioprine due to planned pregnancy. She passed two pregnancies, giving birth during 5 and 8 years post-transplant. During the whole observation, there were no episodes of acute kidney rejection or proteinuria. The blood trough levels of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were stable, at 6–7 ng/mL and 2.7 ng/mL, respectively.

Personal and family history

Family history was unremarkable.

Physical examination

Physical examination revealed no abnormalities except surgical scars.

Laboratory examinations

Because of the increase of serum creatinine up to 3.4 mg/dL, a kidney graft biopsy was performed on June 1, 2021. Histological examination revealed overlapping features of active chronic rejection and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Overall, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy covered > 50% of the interstitial area (Figure 2). Donor-specific antigens were not present, whereas a moderate Epstein–Barr viremia (7485 copies/mL) was detected. Other virological results (hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and cytomegalovirus) were negative at that time.

Figure 2 Pathological findings in transplanted kidney biopsy. A and B: Glomerulus with segmental sclerosis – black arrow (A) – and reactive proliferation of podocytes around sclerosed segment – orange arrow (B); C and D: Area of tubular atrophy – black arrow – and compensative tubular hypertrophy – asterisks (C), with areas of interstitial fibrosis with infiltration of mononuclear cells – orange arrows (D); E–H: Immunohistochemistry showing focal interstitial infiltrates mainly composed of CD4-positive (E) and CD20-positive (G) cells, and diffuse interstitial infiltrates of CD8-positive (F) and CD68-positive (H) cells.

Imaging examinations

Computed tomography (CT) with contrast media administration was performed twice, during the oncological work-up, in June and September 2021. The second examination visualized intraperitoneal spread of colon adenocarcinoma, confirmed by positron emission tomography/CT (Figure 3), and corresponding with recent patient complaints about abdominal pain.

Figure 3 Pathological intraperitoneal infiltration (arrows) measuring 83 mm × 46 mm × 52 mm, with a standardized maximum uptake of 8.5 located in the right epigastric region, shown in computed tomography (A) and positron emission tomography (B) examinations.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Active chronic rejection of transplanted kidney with features of recurrent glomerulonephritis and further intraperitoneal spread of colon cancer was also diagnosed.

TREATMENT

Hemodialysis therapy was initiated after creating an arteriovenous shunt when serum creatinine level exceeded 6 mg/dL. Before initiation of palliative chemotherapy, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF genotyping was performed. The analysis revealed mutation in codon 12 of the second exon (35 G>T) of KRAS, denoting resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. FOLFOX-4 regimen was chosen as the first-line palliative chemotherapy due to early discontinuation of this regimen in the adjuvant setting, frequent intestinal toxicity of irinotecan in hemodialysis patients, and restriction in the reimbursement of bevacizumab in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

The patient remains under the care of an oncologist and nephrologist, continuing hemodialysis and palliative chemotherapy. The timeline of the information presented in this case report is shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Timeline of diagnostic procedures and treatment.

Date	Procedure
1994	Diagnosis of glomerular nephritis (kidney biopsy)
1994	Therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide
2004	Initiation of hemodialysis therapy
2005	Kidney transplantation
October 2020	Recurrent abdominal pain
January 26, 2021	Right hemicolectomy
February 2021	Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (FOLFOX-4)
February 25, 2021	Abdominal laceration abscess surgery
March 17 to 19, 2021	1st FOLFOX-4
April 1, 2021	2nd FOLFOX-4
April 19, 2021	Postponement of chemotherapy
May 5, 2021	Postponement of chemotherapy
May 14, 2021	Adjuvant chemotherapy termination
June 1, 2021	Kidney graft biopsy
June 17, 2021	First CT of the abdomen and pelvis
September 30, 2021	Second CT of the abdomen and pelvis
October 28, 2021	Surgical creation of an arteriovenous shunt
October 29, 2021	PET-CT
December 8, 2021	Initiation of hemodialysis therapy
December 21, 2021	Initiation of palliative chemotherapy (FOLFOX-4)

CT: Computed tomography; PET–CT: Positron emission tomography–computed tomography.

DISCUSSION

Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality and morbidity in KTRs after cardiovascular disease[7]. This increased cancer risk in the KTR population is driven mainly by de novo cancers, with CRC being the third most common cause of cancer death after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lung cancer[8]. CRC in KTRs is reported to have a worse 5-year survival rate than in the general population[9,10], and develops more often at a younger age[9-11]. Even so, our patient was diagnosed with an advanced CRC at the age of 36 years. However, an analysis of Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry Data revealed that cancer rates in KTRs are similar to those in nontransplanted subjects 20–30 years older[12]. Still, it is noteworthy that there were some additional risk factors for such an early development of cancer in the given patient, except for the post-transplant immunosuppression. Firstly, the primary kidney disease was glomerulonephritis treated with steroids and cyclophosphamide, whereas the pretransplant immunosuppressive treatment was shown to increase the cancer risk[12,13]. Secondly, the use of azathioprine could be an independent risk factor for advanced colorectal neoplasia in KTRs[14]. The patient has received this medication for 5 years because of the planned conception. Thirdly, unlike the virus-related malignancies such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and cervical cancer, CRC used to develop late in the post-transplant observation[3], as in our case.

Nevertheless, when considering the undisputed tendency to the CRC development in younger KTRs in comparison to the general population, modified screening strategies were suggested in this specific cohort, including increased colonoscopy frequency[9] and early initial post-transplant colonoscopy within 2 years[10]. To date, KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) Guidelines suggested that screening for CRC should be performed as recommended for the general population[15]. A cost–benefit ratio is another issue, as it was shown that eight colonoscopies were needed to identify one case of advanced neoplasia in KTRs cohort older than 50 years[16]. Although some authors suggested that screening colonoscopy in KTRs should be expanded to include recipients younger than 50 years[11] or even between the age of 35 and 50 years[17], such a policy would be cost-ineffective, in contrast to a screening program with fecal hemoglobin testing[17]. However, the latter measure is characterized by poor sensitivity but reasonable specificity. Besides, a fecal hemoglobin concentration can be used to stratify probability for the detection of advanced colorectal neoplasia in individuals with positive fecal immunochemical test[18].

In KTRs diagnosed with cancer, treatment includes conventional approaches based on surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy[7]. Such a complex treatment, often complicated by adverse reactions, is effective, even in advanced CRC cases[19]. Although the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy is a current standard of care in stage III colon cancer, the complication risk of such therapy is strongly recommended to be assessed, especially among patients with pre-existing kidney dysfunction[1]. The data concerning adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy and their outcomes in KTRs are limited (Table 2). Some advanced stage transplant patients did not receive adequate chemotherapy because of the concern of drug–drug interactions with the immunosuppressive regimen[20]. Despite that oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil are partly excreted in urine, the renal toxicity potential of anti-CRC drugs is low, except for de novo proteinuria and arterial thromboembolic events observed during bevacizumab therapy[20]. Nevertheless, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is neither nephrotoxic[21] nor interferes with blood levels of immunosuppressants[20]. However, it has been reported that repeated cycles of oxaliplatin in patients with prior renal impairment may cause deterioration of kidney function[22]. In our case, the kidney graft function before FOLFOX-4 initiation was already impaired (eGFR 45 mL/min/1.73 m²), but it rapidly deteriorated during the first 2 mo of therapy. However, it might have been caused by active chronic rejection coexisting with recurrent glomerulonephritis, which probably started earlier, as indicated by the previously slowly increasing serum creatinine concentration. Moreover, both processes mentioned above might be accelerated by decreasing net immunosuppression strength caused by modification of the immunosuppressive regimen and impaired drug absorption after hemicolectomy. Nevertheless, although reducing immunosuppression treatment with or without conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor is suggested in KDIGO guidelines[15] and the literature[7,23], the risk of graft rejection and loss is not to be disregarded.

Table 2 Clinical characteristics of kidney transplant patients treated with adjuvant (n = 7) and palliative chemotherapy (n = 5) for colorectal cancer.

Refs	Patients	Sex	Age at diagnosis, yr	Clinical stage	Chemotherapy	Cycles	Graft loss	ADR	Response	DFS/PFS (mo)	OS (mo)
Kim et al[5]	5 of 171	6 W, 11 M	54 ± 7	Stage 0 (n = 2)			Yes, 2 (within 1 yr)			25.1 ± 9.2
				Stage I (n = 5)
				Stage II (n = 3)	FU-LV (n = 1)	12		NS			NA
				Stage III (n = 3)	Capecitabine (n = 2)	12		NS			25
				Stage IV (n = 4)	Capecitabine (n = 1); FU-LV (n = 1)	812		NS			10
Fang[20]	1	M	36	Stage II (pT3N0M0)	FOLFOX	3	No	NS	PD	0	NA
Liu et al[24]	2	M	44	Stage II (pT3N0M0)	Capecitabine	8	No	NA	SD	NA	Alive after 21
		M	54	Stage II (pT3N0M0)	Capecitabine	8	No	NA	SD	NA	Alive after 8
Xia et al[25]	1	M	51	Stage III B (pT3N1M0)	FOLFOX	8	No	NS	PR	NA	NA
Liu et al[24]	1	M	68	Stage III (pT4N1M0)	Capecitabine (after progression)	3	No	NS	PR	2	4-5 for CTH
Müsri et al[26]	1	M	64	Stage IV	FOLFIRI + bevacizumab	5	NS	Proteinuria	PR (regression of liver metastasis)	NA	NA
								Deterioration of kidney function
Bellyei et al[19]	1	M	66	Stage IV	FOLFIRI + cetuximab	1	No	Blood sugar level fluctuation	NA	NA	NA
								Diarrhea
								Hypomagnesemia
					FOLFIRI + panitumumab	3	No	Weight loss	PR(paraaortic lymph node regression)	NA	NA
								Diarrhea
								Hypomagnesemia
					SBRT + panitumumab	16	No	Skin rash	CR	NA	NA-stroke
								Hypomagnesemia

¹Characteristics and outcome data for 17 patients cohort, including 5 patients that received CTH.

M: Man; W: Women; ADR: Adverse drug reaction; DSF: Disease-free survival; PFS: Progression-free survival, OS: Overall survival; NS: Not specified; NA: Not available; FU-LV: 5-flurouracil-leucovorin; PD: Progressive disease; SD: Stable disease; PR: Partial Response; SBRT: Stereotactic body irradiation; CR: Complete response.

CONCLUSION

Several risk factors, including long-lasting immunosuppression, may contribute to CRC development in KTRs at a younger age. We acknowledge the risk of rapid kidney graft loss, which occurred during the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer, but it may rather be a consequence of under-immunosuppression due to both impaired drug absorption and treatment changes driven by the cancer diagnosis. Hence, any modification of immunosuppressive regimen in newly diagnosed cancer patients should be carefully considered to balance the potential risks and benefits, bearing in mind the kidney graft function.