Aim: We performed a meta-analysis of the available clinical trials of immune-checkpoint inhibitors to assess risk differences and relative risks of renal toxicity. Methods: 17 randomized phase III studies were selected, including 10,252 patients. Results: The administration of immune-checkpoint inhibitors resulted in an overall low-grade, high-grade and all-grade renal toxicity Risk Difference of: 0.746% (95% CI 0.629% to 1.15%, p < 0.001—random), 0.61% (95% CI, 0.292−0.929%, p < 0.001—fixed) and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.601−1.85%—random), respectively. The pooled Relative Risk of low-grade, high-grade and all-grade renal toxicity was: 2.185 (95% CI 1.515−3.152—fixed), 2.610 (95% CI, 1.409−4.833, p = 0.002—fixed) and 2.473 (95% CI, 1.782−3.431, p < 0.001—fixed), respectively. An increased risk of renal toxicity was evident in some subgroups more than others. Conclusion: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of renal toxicity.
Keywords: PD-1 inhibitors; PD-L1 inhibitors; acute kidney injury; chronic kidney disease; immune-checkpoint inhibitors; meta-analysis; renal toxicity.