AUTHOR=Ye Baokui , Luo Xin , Luo Yunhan , Zhou Zhaohui , Jiang Biao , Xiong Longbin , Peng Yulu , Zou Xiangpeng , Huang Yixin , Lin Yisong , Zhang Lihao , Yang Xiaofeng , Dong Pei , Liu Yuying , Yan Yue , Liu Xiaohua , Xie Jiawei , Xiao Yulong , Cui Bokang , Wang Song , Lu Jinchang , He Zhiting , Liu Huiming , Li Jing , Li Zhen , Lu Wei , Li Yancen , Liu Haiying , Jia Tao , Niu Lizhi , Zhou Fangjian , Yu Chunping , Zhang Zhiling 

TITLE=Comparative study of eGFR in cancer and non-cancer individuals: a multicenter analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1642162

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1642162

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundCancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and renal impairment frequently occurs during its course and treatment due to nephrotoxic chemotherapy and contrast exposure. Understanding baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and its longitudinal changes in cancer patients is essential for effective kidney function management.MethodsThis multicenter study included 24,478 treatment-naïve cancer patients admitted to three cancer centers in 2018 and 61,883 non-cancer individuals undergoing health screening in the same year, with follow-up until 2023. eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI equation. Baseline eGFR and subsequent changes were compared between groups after stratification by age, sex, and comorbidity.ResultsAcross all age groups, treatment-naïve cancer patients showed higher baseline eGFR values compared with non-cancer individuals of the same stratum (all p < 0.05). The median kidney volume was also larger in cancer patients (280 cm3 vs. 271 cm3, p < 0.05). During the 5-year follow-up, cancer patients demonstrated a greater annual decline in eGFR than non-cancer individuals (all p < 0.01).ConclusionTreatment-naïve cancer patients exhibited higher baseline eGFR but a more pronounced subsequent decline compared with non-cancer individuals. These findings reflect observed associations rather than causal effects.