Nephrotoxicity of conventional chemotherapeutics: part II—non-platinum agents and miscellaneous nephrotoxic drugs

While modern anticancer therapies have significantly improved survival in patients with cancer, their success is often hindered by unintended side effects and toxicities, particularly to the kidneys. Many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, despite their efficacy, exert nephrotoxic effects that can result in short- and long-term adverse kidney outcomes. This review critically examines the renal implications of non-platinum alkylating agents and other less commonly grouped cytotoxic drugs based on available literature. Nephrotoxicity remains a frequent and often dose-limiting challenge in patients with cancer, even with preventive measures. As such, there is a growing need to identify predictive biomarkers and develop targeted kidney-protective strategies. An understanding of these agents' kidney toxicity profiles is critical to maximize the oncologic benefit while preserving kidney function in this vulnerable population.