Abstract
Introduction: Pembrolizumab t is used to treat various cancers. It is associated with immune related adverse events (IRAEs) that can be life threatening [1,4]. We describe a patient who presented autoimmune Diabetes after the use of Pembrolizumab. Case: 64 y/o African American female PMHX of lung non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in 2017 Clinical stage IV with gluteal metastasis, and dementia. Pt was referred by Oncology. The patient had a family history of Type 1 DM. and complained of dizziness, and unintentional weight loss (30 pounds) over a year. She had received 2 cycles of Pembrolizumab. The last cycle given 5 weeks before presentation to Endocrinology.Physical examination revealed cachectic female (weight 35 kg, height 147cm), dry mouth, BP 135/82, Plasma glucose 383mg%, A1c 7, negative Islet cell antibodies, positive anti-GAD, undetectableserum C-peptide. Cortisol 27, Acth 21 at 8 am and TSH 2.3. Discussion: In a systematic literature review, the early pattern of Diabetes onset with the use of checkpoint inhibitors was evaluated and on average after 4.5 treatment cycles [4].The incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced Type 1 Diabetes is estimated at 1% [3].This appeared to be earlier for the combination of anti-cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte associated antigen 4 monoclonal antibody and PD-1 therapy. The onset of β cell inflammation is often fulminant, suggested by the relatively low glycated hemoglobin levels, while C-peptide levels are usually low or undetectable at diagnosis and mostly positive GAD antibodies [5]. This side effect is predominantly found in patients exposed to blockade of the PD-1/PD-Ligand pathway. The IRAEs are primarily managed by immunosuppression with corticosteroids and discontinuation of immunotherapy except in autoimmune Diabetes which is irreversible. Physicians should be aware of and patients educated about the important multiorgan side effects since a growing number of patients are treated with checkpoint blockade.Azoury SC, Straughan DM, Shukla V. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy: clinical efficacy and safety. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2015;15: 452-462Weber JS, Postow M, Lao CD, et al. Management of adverse events following treatment with anti-programmed death-1 agents. Oncologist 2016;21:1230-40Stamatouli AM, Quandt Z, Perdigoto AL, Clark PL, Kluger H,Weiss SA et al Collateral damage: insulin-dependent diabetes induced with checkpoint inhibitors. Diabetes 2018;67(8):1471-1480de Filette JMK, Pen JJ, Decoster L, et al. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and Type 1 Diabetes mellitus: a case report and systematic review. Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;181(3):363–374.Akturk HK, Kahramangil D, Sarwal A, Hoffecker L, Murad MH, Michels AW. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced Type 1 Diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2019;36(9):1075–1081.
Endocrine toxicity of cancer immunotherapy: clinical challenges
