Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome induced by pazopanib for renal cell carcinoma

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2013 Apr;38(2):175-6. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12031. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can be the result of acute hypertension, eclampsia, renal failure and the use of immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents. We report a case of PRES as a result of the use of pazopanib, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor used for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Case summary: A 76-year-old man treated with RCC develops PRES shortly after the initiation of pazopanib.

What is new and conclusion: There are no known reports of the association between PRES and pazopanib. We postulate that pazopanib can disrupt the normal endothelial function of the brain leading to the development of PRES.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Indazoles
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects*
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Indazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • pazopanib