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Savino A, Rossi A, Fagiuoli S, Invernizzi P, Gerussi A, Viganò M. Hepatotoxicity in Cancer Immunotherapy: Diagnosis, Management, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 17:76. [PMID: 39796705 PMCID: PMC11718971 DOI: 10.3390/cancers17010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2024] [Revised: 12/26/2024] [Accepted: 12/27/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2025] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has positively impacted oncological treatments. Despite its effectiveness, immunotherapy is associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can affect any organ, including the liver. Hepatotoxicity primarily manifests as immune-related hepatitis and, less frequently, cholangitis. Several risk factors, such as pre-existing autoimmune and liver diseases, the type of immunotherapy, and combination regimens, play a role in immune-related hepatotoxicity (irH), although reliable predictive markers or models are still lacking. The severity of irH ranges from mild to severe cases, up to, in rare instances, acute liver failure. Management strategies require regular monitoring for early diagnosis and interventions, encompassing strict monitoring for mild cases to the permanent suspension of immunotherapy for severe forms. Corticosteroids are the backbone of treatment in moderate and high-grade damage, alone or in combination with additional immunosuppressive drugs for resistant or refractory cases. Given the relatively low number of events and the lack of dedicated prospective studies, much uncertainty remains about the optimal management of irH, especially in the most severe cases. This review presents the main features of irH, focusing on injury patterns and mechanisms, and provides an overview of the management landscape, from standard care to the latest evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Savino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Alberto Rossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, ERN-RARE LIVER, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Alessio Gerussi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, ERN-RARE LIVER, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Mauro Viganò
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy (M.V.)
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
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Astašauskaitė S, Kupčinskaitė-Noreikienė R, Zaborienė I, Vaičiūnienė R, Vanagas T, Pranys D, Poškienė L, Juozaitytė E. Multiorgan Toxicity from Dual Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, Resulting in a Complete Response-A Case Report. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1129. [PMID: 39064558 PMCID: PMC11278757 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60071129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to a breakthrough in the treatment of oncological diseases. Despite its clinical effectiveness, this treatment differs from others, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, in that it causes immune-related adverse events. This type of toxicity can affect any organ or organ system of the body. We present a literature review and a rare clinical case from our clinical practice, in which a patient with metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma was treated with a single dose of dual checkpoint blockade (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)) and simultaneously diagnosed with colitis, hepatitis, and nephritis. After early immunosuppressive treatment with the glucocorticoids, complete organ function recovery was achieved. The follow-up revealed a sustained complete response lasting more than a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skaistė Astašauskaitė
- Institute of Oncology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rita Kupčinskaitė-Noreikienė
- Institute of Oncology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Inga Zaborienė
- Department of Radiology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rūta Vaičiūnienė
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Vanagas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Darius Pranys
- Department of Pathology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Lina Poškienė
- Department of Pathology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Elona Juozaitytė
- Institute of Oncology, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Likhitsup A, Fontana RJ. Diagnosis and management of immune mediated liver injury from checkpoint inhibitors. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:164-171. [PMID: 38375823 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000001015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim is to summarize the latest data on the incidence, clinical manifestations, and management of immune- mediated liver injury from checkpoint inhibitors (ILICI). RECENT FINDINGS ILICI develops in 10-15% of oncology patients receiving immunotherapy with most having asymptomatic serum aminotransferase and/or alkaline phosphatase elevations. Most grade 1-2 ILICI patients improve with drug discontinuation and/or short-term oral corticosteroids. In contrast, the 2-3% with grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity frequently require oral or intravenous corticosteroids and some are hospitalized to initiate further immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. Liver biopsy is generally reserved for patients with atypical features or those with severe hepatotoxicity who fail to respond to treatment. Up to 3% of ILICI patients with a cholestatic profile have MRI evidence of intra or extrahepatic cholangitis that responds poorly to immunosuppression. Most ILICI patients improve during follow-up and liver-related death is very uncommon (<1%). Up to 30% of rechallenged ILICI patients develop recurrent hepatotoxicity with a shorter latency. SUMMARY ILICI is increasingly encountered by gastroenterologists evaluating oncology patients with abnormal liver biochemistries. A stepwise approach to exclude viral hepatitis, alcohol, hepatic metastases, and pancreaticobiliary disease is recommended. The majority of ILICI patients fully recover with ICI discontinuation and short-term corticosteroids or a second line immunosuppressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Likhitsup
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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