Nephrotoxicity following carboplatin use in children: is routine monitoring of renal function necessary?

Carboplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent against many solid tumours. Although it is thought to be less nephrotoxic than its precursor cisplatin, current paediatric treatment protocols require regular monitoring of renal glomerular function during and after carboplatin use. Because accurate assessment of renal function in children requires measurement of isotope-clearance glomerular filtration rates (GFRs), routine monitoring is costly and time consuming. We studied 26 paediatric patients who were receiving chemotherapy that included 500-600 mg/m2 of carboplatin per course. 51Cr-EDTA GFRs were measured initially and after one to seven courses (median four). There was no measurable difference between renal function before and after carboplatin (P = 0.8). Our study shows that routine monitoring of renal glomerular function is unnecessary. Carboplatin use in patients who have had unilateral nephrectomy as part of their treatment is also discussed. Paediatric oncology literature concerning nephrotoxicity and carboplatin is reviewed.