Clinical significance of serum cystatin C in early evaluation of renal impairment caused by chemotherapy in elderly patients

Background: This study aims to discuss the application value of serum cystatin C (Cys C) in detecting early renal function injury in elderly patients with malignant tumors after chemotherapy. Methods: The data at different chemotherapy time points (before chemotherapy, after two cycles of chemotherapy, and after four cycles of chemotherapy) were analyzed. Results: Serum Cys C was significantly higher after chemotherapy than before chemotherapy in elderly patients with malignant tumors, and the endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr) significantly decreased. These were significantly correlated. However, there was no significant change in serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Cys C continued to increase with the prolonged time of chemotherapy. In addition, Cys C was sensitive for detecting renal impairment caused by platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. Conclusions: The diagnostic effect of Cys C on early renal function injury after chemotherapy in elderly patients with malignant tumors is better, when compared to traditional renal function test items, such as SCr, BUN and CCr.