Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-induced renal toxicity in retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a case report and literature review

Doxorubicin is one of the most active drugs for sarcoma. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is a unique formulation of doxorubicin, which carries a more favorable toxicity profile in comparison with free doxorubicin. The main toxicity of PLD is hand-foot syndrome. Unlike free doxorubicin, PLD is unlikely to cause alopecia, nausea, myelosuppression, or cardiotoxicity. Additionally, no premedications are required. We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with advanced retroperitoneal liposarcoma who developed irreversible PLD-associated progressive renal failure requiring chronic hemodialysis due to a thrombotic microangiopathy. No cardiotoxicity was noted 84 months after he initiated PLD. This case describes a lesser known toxicity of PLD and may be a toxicity of long-term treatment with other liposomal drugs.

Automated summary

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is a unique formulation of doxorubicin with lower toxicity profile than free doxorubicin, mainly causing hand-foot syndrome without alopecia, nausea, myelosuppression, or cardiotoxicity. This case highlights a lesser known toxicity of PLD and raises concerns about potential long-term toxicities with other liposomal drugs.