Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Nephrol. Mar 25, 2026; 15(1): 114239
Published online Mar 25, 2026. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v15.i1.114239
Published online Mar 25, 2026. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v15.i1.114239
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related acute kidney injury: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for nephrologists
Muhammad M Javaid, Gina Tonkin-Hill, Martin Klein, Department of Medicine, South West Healthcare, Warrnambool 3280, Victoria, Australia
Muhammad M Javaid, Martin Klein, Deakin Medical School, Deakin University, Warrnambool 3280, Victoria, Australia
Muhammad M Javaid, Rural Health Mildura, Monash University, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
Author contributions: Javaid MM designed the review article, wrote the first draft, replied to the reviewers’ comments; Javaid MM, Tonkin-Hill G, and Klein M performed the literature search, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript; Tonkin-Hill G made the tables and figures. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Muhammad M Javaid, Affiliate Associate Professor, Consultant, FASN, FRACP, FRCP, Department of Medicine, South West Healthcare, 25 Ryot Street, Warrnambool 3280, Victoria, Australia. mmjavaid@doctors.org.uk
Received: September 15, 2025
Revised: October 25, 2025
Accepted: January 7, 2026
Published online: March 25, 2026
Processing time: 181 Days and 0.5 Hours
Revised: October 25, 2025
Accepted: January 7, 2026
Published online: March 25, 2026
Processing time: 181 Days and 0.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Immune-mediated acute kidney injury is rare in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The presenting features are non-specific, making it difficult to distinguish from other more commonly encountered pre-renal and post-renal causes. However, a precise diagnosis is imperative for instigating appropriate management plan. Attention to the presence of risk factors and other associated features can guide further investigations. Confirmation of diagnosis with a kidney biopsy can minimise the risk of inappropriate exposure to immunosuppression in already seriously unwell patient.