Potassium imbalances induced by systemic cancer therapy: pathophysiology and potential therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Imbalances of serum potassium levels are common complications in patients receiving systemic antineoplastic therapy. These conditions can provoke further complications such as cardiac arrhythmia and paralysis due to the significant role of potassium in muscle physiology. Many cytotoxic drugs and novel targeted therapy agents have been found to induce hypokalemia and occasionally hyperkalemia. Therefore, they should be administered carefully and a broad understanding of the topic is necessary for medical oncologists. To this end, the present narrative review explores the pathophysiology of potassium disorders induced by systemic therapy and points out some therapeutic strategies for reversing them.