Chronic kidney disease in long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment

High-dose myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation is becoming an increasingly common treatment modality for a variety of diseases. Patient survival may be limited by substantial treatment-related toxicities, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the majority of CKD after transplantation is idiopathic, thrombotic microangiopathic syndromes and nephrotic syndrome have been described. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and potential treatment options for the various clinical syndromes that are associated with CKD in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients is reviewed. As the indications for and the numbers of transplants that are performed worldwide increases, so will the burden of CKD. The nephrologists and oncologists will have to work together to identify patients who are at risk for CKD early to prevent its development and progression to end-stage kidney disease.