scholarly journals Immunotherapy-induced endocrinopathies: assessment, management and monitoring

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204201881989618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Nogueira ◽  
Tom Newsom-Davis ◽  
Daniel L. Morganstein

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has transformed the treatment of cancer, but frequently results in immune-mediated adverse events affecting multiple organs, amongst which endocrine adverse events are frequent. The patterns of endocrine adverse events differ between inhibitors of the CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, but most frequently involve the thyroid and pituitary with insulin deficient diabetes also emerging as an important adverse event. These frequently result in long-lasting hormone deficiency requiring replacement. This review explores the mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors and details the expected endocrine adverse events and typical presentations. The effect of high-dose glucocorticoids therapy to treat nonendocrine adverse events is also discussed.

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Bai ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Peidan Yang ◽  
Kunyan Xu ◽  
Yingnan Wang ◽  
...  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have substantially changed the treatment of a variety of malignant tumors. With the increasing of their usage, the unique immune-mediated toxicity profile of ICIs has become apparent. We report a case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a patient who received anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) (camrelizumab) therapy and the occurrence of sequential immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although many irAEs have been reported, severe myositis caused by camrelizumab with simultaneous involvement of multiple organs, including the myocardium, respiratory muscles, and skeletal muscles, has rarely been described in literature. This 69-year-old male patient developed a grade 4 camrelizumab-induced adverse reaction according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and was successfully treated with methylprednisolone and immunoglobulins. The early identification of irAEs, immediate discontinuation of immunotherapy, use of steroids and/or immunosuppressants, and adjuvant supportive treatment are critical to the clinical prognosis of patients. It should be aware that autoimmune complications can occur even when ICI treatment is ceased.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 369-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A Daniels ◽  
Angela D Guerrera ◽  
Donna Katz ◽  
Jayne Viets-Upchurch

Multiple drugs of a new class of cancer treatments called immune checkpoint inhibitors, which work by enabling the immune system to attack tumour cells, have been approved for a variety of indications in recent years. Immune checkpoints, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death-1, are part of the normal immune system and regulate immune activation. Treatment with inhibitors of these checkpoints can significantly improve response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with cancer; it can also result in adverse reactions that present similarly to other conditions. These immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMARs) are most commonly gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine or dermatologic. Although patients’ presentations may appear similar to other types of cancer therapy, the underlying causes, and consequently their management, may differ. Prompt recognition is critical because, with appropriate management, most IMARs resolve and patients can continue receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Rarely, these IMARs may be life-threatening and escape detection from the usual evaluations in the emergency environment. Given the unusual spectrum and mechanism of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors, emergency departmentED staff require a clear understanding of the evaluation of IMARs to enable them to appropriately assess and treat these patients. Treatment of IMARs, most often with high-dose steroids, differs from chemotherapy-related adverse events and when possible should be coordinated with the treating oncologist. This review summarises the ED presentation and management of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors and includes recommendations for tools and resources for ED healthcare professionals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. e230848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Pierrard ◽  
Bénédicte Petit ◽  
Sarah Lejeune ◽  
Emmanuel Seront

The increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to the observation of a variety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These irAEs occur usually within the first months after ICIs onset and can involve theorically all organs. We describe two rare irAEs occurring in a 70-year-old caucasian man who was treated with nivolumab for an advanced urothelial cancer of the left kidney. He developed an isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency that was diagnosed at week 19 and a neurological complication that appeared at week 79 and initially confounded with a lumbar spinal stenosis. Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was finally confirmed with the complete resolution of symptoms after 5 days of intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. We highlight the importance of quickly recognising these potential life-threatening irAEs such as cortisol insufficiency and neurologic adverse events whose initially presentation could be non-specific.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1989770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Politi ◽  
Dimas Angelos ◽  
Davide Mauri ◽  
George Zarkavelis ◽  
George Pentheroudakis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen-4 and anti-programmed death-1, are a type of cancer immunotherapy approved for late-stage malignancy treatment. However, such therapies often induce immune-related adverse events. During anti-programmed death-1 blockade therapy, the most commonly reported adverse effects are skin toxicities, such as psoriasis—a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder affecting the skin. We present the clinical characteristics of flared psoriasis in one patient under anti-programmed death-1 therapy who was diagnosed with T2N2M0/IIIB squamous lung carcinoma with a history of psoriasis for the past 5 years, exacerbated after the first cycle of nivolumab. After the third cycle, the extensive skin plaques necessitated treatment cessation. Following the discontinuation of anti-programmed death-1 treatment, skin lesions were treated locally. Possibly, anti-programmed death-1 immunotherapy can trigger immune-mediated diseases, such as psoriasis. Physicians should be alert to immune-related adverse events. Continuation or permanent cessation of treatment depends on the severity and reversibility of immune-related adverse events.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1242-1242
Author(s):  
Ann R. Gaines

Abstract The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed Rho(D) immune globulin intravenous (anti-D IGIV) in March 1995 for treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The presumed mechanism of action of anti-D IGIV is extravascular hemolysis of anti-D-sensitized RBCs by splenic macrophages. Although seemingly inconsistent with this mechanism of action, acute hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria have been reported and are listed in the professional package insert for anti-D IGIV as possible adverse events. Through November 30, 2004, FDA received 6 reports of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with “acute hemolysis” (or similar terms) following anti-D IGIV treatment for ITP (Gaines AR. Disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with acute hemoglobinemia or hemoglobinuria following Rho(D) immune globulin intravenous administration for immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood.2005, 106(5):in press). All patients were clinically stable and were initially discharged home following anti-D IGIV administration. All were subsequently hospitalized for signs and symptoms of acute hemolysis or DIC. The mean decrease between pretreatment and nadir posttreatment hemoglobin levels was 5.8 g/dL (range: 3.0 to 9.6 g/dL); 4 patients received 2 to > 5 units of packed RBCs. Four patients whose baseline serum creatinine levels were within normal limits developed renal insufficiency; 2 of those patients underwent dialysis. The pediatric patient was subsequently discharged from the hospital without sequelae. However, all 5 adult patients remained hospitalized and died 3 to 10 days after anti-D IGIV administration. Attending or consulting physicians assessed that acute hemolysis and/or DIC caused or contributed to each death. Data from previously reported cases further suggested that previous uneventful administration of anti-D IGIV does not preclude the development of acute hemolysis upon subsequent administration of anti-D IGIV. These cases suggested that patients treated with anti-D IGIV for ITP who experience acute hemoglobinemia or hemoglobinuria be monitored for the development of DIC. To increase our knowledge about the seemingly rare but potentially serious complication of DIC following anti-D IGIV treatment for ITP, physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to submit serious adverse event reports to the anti-D IGIV manufacturer or to FDA. Contact information for reporting adverse events to the manufacturer of any FDA-approved product is generally available in the professional package insert or on manufacturer- or distributor-sponsored web sites. Alternatively, adverse events can be reported directly to FDA through its adverse event reporting system, MedWatch, by Internet at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, by telephone at 1-800-FDA-1088; by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178; or by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romy G. Younan ◽  
Roy A. Raad ◽  
Bassem Y. Sawan ◽  
Rabih Said

Abstract Background Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment over the past several years. Despite their clinical benefits, a wide range of immune-mediated toxicities can be observed including hematological toxicities. Although, the majority can easily be managed, immune-mediated adverse events rarely can be severe and difficult to approach. Herein, we are reporting a case of very severe aplastic anemia secondary to ipilimumab (I) and nivolumab (N) treatment that failed various treatment including intensive immune suppressive therapy. Case presentation We described a case of a 45-year old white male, heavy smoker presented to the clinic complaining of left flank pain. He was found to have a metastatic renal cell carcinoma for which he was treated with dual immunotherapy and later complicated by severe immune related adverse events. The patient later died after failing intensive immune suppressive therapy. Conclusion Immunotherapy has become an established pillar of cancer treatment improving the prognosis of many patients with variant malignancies. Yet, lethal adverse events can occur in rare cases. It is our duty, as physicians, to remain alert and cautious.


2021 ◽  
pp. 270-274
Author(s):  
Ellen Gebauer ◽  
Wibke Bechtel-Walz ◽  
Christoph Schell ◽  
Michelle Erbel ◽  
Gerd Walz ◽  
...  

Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors revolutionized therapies for a variety of malignancies. Nivolumab, an antibody blocking programmed cell death 1 protein, and ipilimumab that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 effectively target tumor cells by disinhibiting the endogenous immune response. At the same time, unrestrained T-cell activation may trigger a range of immune-mediated side effects including kidney injury. Steroid therapy constitutes the mainstay of treatment of these adverse events, but dosage, route of administration, and approach to nivolumab re-exposure remain unclear. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old male patient who developed severe nivolumab/ipilimumab-associated acute kidney injury while on oral steroid therapy for immune-mediated colitis. Acute interstitial nephritis was confirmed by renal biopsy. Administration of high-dose intravenous steroid doses was required to revert declining renal function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Ma ◽  
Jie Pei ◽  
Ximu Sun ◽  
Lihong Liu ◽  
Wenchao Lu ◽  
...  

Introdution: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved clinical outcomes for a wide range of cancers but can also lead to serious or fatal immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although ICI-related pericardial toxicities have been reported, the clinical features are not well characterized in real-world studies.Objective: To characterize the main features of ICI-related pericardial toxicities and identify factors associated with death.Methods: Data from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2020 in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database were retrieved for disproportionality analysis. We used the reporting odds ratio and the information component (IC) to evaluate the association between ICIs and pericardial adverse events. Clinical characteristics of patients with ICI-associated pericardial toxicities were collected and compared between fatal and non-fatal groups. The time to onset following different ICI regimens was further investigated.Results: We identified a total of 705 ICI-associated pericardial toxicities which appeared to influence more men (53.90%) than women (36.03%), with a median age of 63 (interquartile range [IQR] 54–69) years. Patients with lung cancer accounted for the largest proportion (55.6%). ICI therapies were detected with pharmacovigilance signals of pericardial toxicities, corresponding to IC025 = 2.11 and ROR 4.87 [4.51–5.25]. Nevertheless, there was a lack of association between anti-CTLA-4 and pericardial toxicities. There was no difference in onset time among all ICI regimens. However, TTO of fatal cases (25 days (interquartile range [IQR] 6–70)) occurred statistically earlier than non-fatal cases (42 days (IQR 12–114), p = 0.003).Conclusion: ICI monotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 therapy) and combination therapy can lead to pericardial toxicities that can result in serious outcomes and tend to occur early. Early recognition and management of ICI-related pericardial disorders should attract clinical attention. The findings require further clinical surveillance for the quantification.


2020 ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
D. I. Yudin ◽  
K. K. Laktionov ◽  
K. A. Sarantseva ◽  
O. I. Borisova ◽  
V. V. Breder ◽  
...  

Recently immune checkpoint inhibitors amazingly changed the landscape of cancer therapy worldwide. The number of immune checkpoint molecules in clinical practice is constantly increasing. There are some monoclonal antibodies recently registered in the Russian Federation: anti-PD1 antibodies (nivolumab, pembrolizumab), anti-PD-L1 (atezolizumab, durvalumab), anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab). Immune-mediated endocrinopathies are some of the most common complications of immunotherapy. According to the results of clinical studies, the incidence of serious endocrine immuno-mediated adverse events with anti-PD1 monoclonal antibodies is low (3.5–8%). The use of anti-CTLA4 antibodies, combined regimens, and the use of immunotherapy after chemoradiotherapy significantly increase the incidence of serious adverse events to 30%. In clinical practice of N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center among 245 non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy, 22 (8,9%) developed an immune-mediated endocrinopathy. Most patients developed adverse events of 1–2 degrees, in two patients – 3 degrees, requiring discontinuation of treatment. The aim of this article was to provide useful information and recommendations regarding the management of common immuno-related endocrine adverse events (including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pituitary, adrenal insufficiency) for clinical oncologists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-326
Author(s):  
Marina A. Lyadova ◽  
Vladimir K. Lyadov

Immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs) are complications of therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which arise as a result of autoimmune inflammation. The article summarizes systemic (fatigue, fever), cutaneous (rash, itching), gastrointestinal (diarrhea, colitis, hepatitis, pancreatic dysfunction), endocrinological (hypothyroidism, hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus), pulmonary (pneumonitis, pleuritis), rheumatological (arthralgia), neurological (headache, sensory and motor disorders), renal (acute interstitial nephritis, lupus-like nephritis, granulomatous nephritis, diffuse interstitial nephritis and minimal change disease), hematological (anemia, cytopenia), cardiovascular (myocarditis) and ocular (conjunctivitis, episcleritis, ceratitis, blepharitis and uveitis) imAE. Pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment approaches (in accordance with toxicity grade and clinical recommendations) are discussed. Early symptom recognition, patient education and timely intervention are crucial for imAE correction.


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