Preventive effect of prostaglandin E1 on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

In order to prevent the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CDDP), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was administered intravenously after anticancer chemotherapy to six patients with lung cancer. All patients underwent two courses of multi-drug chemotherapy with the same regimen including a single administration of 80 mg/m2 CDDP. From the 7th day of the 2nd course of chemotherapy, 120 micrograms PGE1 had been administered for five days. During the two courses of chemotherapy, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance (Ccr), 24-h excretions of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in urine were measured every week in all patients. The mean value of Ccr was higher in the 2nd course than in the control course (65 ml/min vs. 74 ml/min). The 24-h excretions of beta 2-MG and NAG were also reduced in the 2nd course. Out of six patients, only one was complicated by mild phlebitis at the PGE1 infusion site. From these results it was suggested that PGE1 was effective for prevention of CDDP nephrotoxicity.