Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Induced Proteinuria - A Review

Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor (TKI) is a class of drugs that interfere with protein kinases' signal transduction pathways through an array of inhibitory mechanisms. Tyrosine kinases (TK) have an inevitable role in downstream signal transduction and the proliferation of tumour cells. Hence, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are frequently employed as anti-neoplastic agents in the treatment of colon, breast, kidney, and lung cancers. They can be used as single or combination therapy with other targeted therapies. It is understood that TKIs pose a risk of developing proteinuria in some patients as it can primarily result in dysfunction of the split diaphragm, constriction or blockage of capillary lumens mediated by the basement membrane, acute interstitial nephritis, or acute tubular necrosis. This paper reviews the mechanism of action of TKIs, the pathophysiological mechanism of TKI-induced proteinuria, and its management