Palbociclib-associated nephrotoxicity in a patient with breast cancer

Abstract

A patient with advanced breast cancer developed acute kidney injury and generalized renal tubular dysfunction manifested as Fanconi syndrome and distal renal tubular acidosis after treatment with palbociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor. A kidney biopsy showed acute tubular injury characterized by dilated tubular lumens, flattened epithelium, and loss of brush borders, with no significant interstitial fibrosis. This case illustrates the importance of close and long-term follow-up of kidney function and electrolyte levels after the initiation of a CDK4/6 inhibitor.