The Iraqi Board for Medical Specialties discussed the board’s research entitled “Study of Acute Kidney Injury Associated with Immunosuppressive Therapy in Iraqi Cancer Patients” by the student Zainab Safaa Noori and the supervisor Professor Dr. Alaa Abdul Hussein Al-Sheikh, a nephrology consultant at the Kidney Transplant Center, and the co-supervisor Professor Dr. Alaa Abdul Hussein Al-Kashwan.
The study aimed to determine the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) among Iraqi cancer patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, as well as to identify the factors influencing the development of AKI.
The study involved following a sample of patients undergoing immunotherapy for six consecutive months, conducting the necessary clinical and laboratory assessments to monitor kidney function and determine the incidence of AKI. The study was conducted at Baghdad Medical City, specifically at the Oncology Teaching Hospital and the Hematology Center, from June 2024 to June 2025.
The results showed that the incidence of AKI among the included patients was 22%, a percentage that underscores the importance of close monitoring of kidney function in this patient group. Also, the results revealed a clear association between an increased risk of AKI and several clinical factors, most notably the presence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as the concurrent use of certain medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The study recommended that kidney function tests should be performed before initiating immunotherapy and should be monitored regularly throughout the treatment period. It also recommended strengthening collaboration between oncologists and nephrologists to ensure comprehensive monitoring of patients’ health.
