A case of nivolumab-induced acute-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in melanoma

Clinically Approved Monoclonal Antibodies-based Immunotherapy: Association With Glycemic Control and Impact Role of Clinical Pharmacist for Cancer Patient Care

PURPOSE

Compared with more conventional, nonspecific therapy options, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) constitute a crucial approach of cancer treatment. Multiple autoimmune diseases have been observed during treatment with mAb medications, including autoimmune diabetes mellitus (DM). This study provides a narrative review of clinically approved mAbs in cancer treatment and focuses on the development of hyperglycemia and DM arising from using these therapies. Furthermore, it highlights the critical role of oncology clinical pharmacists in the management of autoimmune DM and patient care while using these medications in an oncology setting.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted using various sources of electronic databases, such as Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed, and search engines, such as Google Scholar, for studies on mAb classification, types, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic properties, current clinical applications, and the associated common adverse effects with significant recommendations for patient care in an oncology setting, along with focusing on the proposed mechanisms and clinical studies that reported the association of DM after the use of these therapies.

FINDINGS

There are 4 types (murine, chimeric, humanized, and human) and 3 classes (unconjugated, conjugated, and bispecific) of mAbs with several mechanisms of action that can destroy cancer cells, including preventing tumor cell survival cascades, inhibiting tumor growth by interfering with tumor angiogenesis, evading programmed cell death, and bypassing immune checkpoints. However, multiple endocrinopathies, autoimmune diseases, and complications were reported from the use of these medications, including the development of autoimmune DM and diabetic ketoacidosis. These autoimmune disorders were reported most with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, including inhibitors of the programmed cell death protein 1 (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), its ligand (atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (ipilimumab).

IMPLICATIONS

mAbs are considered important approaches for the treatment of many cancer types. However, a high incidence of hyperglycemia, type 1 DM, and diabetic ketoacidosis is observed with the use of these medications, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. It is important for oncologic clinical pharmacists to be involved in addressing these autoimmune disorders from the use of these immunotherapies via the provision of patient education, medication adherence support, close monitoring, and follow-up, which will lead to better health-related outcomes and improved patient quality of life.

Successful treatment of nivolumab and ipilimumab triggered type 1 diabetes by using sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor: a case report and systematic review

Objective

Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) can trigger complications related to the autoimmune process such as CPI-triggered diabetes mellitus. The typical treatment for CPI-triggered diabetes is insulin, but a detailed therapeutic method has not yet been established. To prevent severe symptoms and mortality of diabetic ketoacidosis in advanced-stage cancer patients, the establishment of effective treatment of CPI-triggered diabetes, other than insulin therapy, is required.

Methods

We present a case of a 76-year-old man with CPI-triggered diabetes who was treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab for lung cancer. We also conducted a systematic review of 48 case reports of type 1 diabetes associated with nivolumab and ipilimumab therapy before June 2023.

Results

The patient's hyperglycemia was not sufficiently controlled by insulin therapy, and after the remission of ketoacidosis, the addition of a sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, improved glycemic control. Most of the reported nivolumab/ipilimumab-induced type 1 diabetes was treatable with insulin, but very few cases required additional oral anti-diabetic agents to obtain good glucose control.

Conclusion

Although SGLT2 inhibitors have been reported to have adverse effects on ketoacidosis, recent studies indicate that the occurrence of ketoacidosis is relatively rare. Considering the pathological mechanism of CPI-triggered diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitors could be an effective choice if they are administered while carefully monitoring the patient's ketoacidosis.

Nivolumab-induced autoimmune diabetes mellitus presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with metastatic mucosal melanoma

INTRODUCTION

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in the treatment of several malignancies. A number of immune-related endocrinopathies have been linked to its use.

CASE REPORT

We report a unique case of a 74-year-old man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus type 2 and metastatic mucosal anorectal melanoma who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis after receiving his third cycle of nivolumab 240 mg intravenous (IV) every 2 weeks. He was found to have autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65. Genotyping for human leukocyte antigens showed the presence of DQB1*02:01 and DRB1*03:01.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

His presentation was complicated by acute renal failure. He required aggressive fluid resuscitation and insulin supplementation to reverse severe acid-base disturbance and multiple electrolyte abnormalities. After an 8-week interruption, the patient restarted nivolumab without any further evidence of adverse events over the next 12 weeks. He continues to require insulin replacement therapy.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Development of type 1 diabetes with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been increasingly reported in the literature. The exact mechanism for autoimmune diabetes precipitated by nivolumab is yet to be elucidated. Patient education about the symptoms of diabetes and regular glucose monitoring cannot be overemphasized. Testing for antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, insulin receptors, and islet cells may also prove useful. Human leukocyte antigen DQ and DR haplotyping prior to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment might help determine susceptibility toward developing type 1 diabetes, and provide opportunities for earlier recognition, intervention, and possibly prevention.

Diabetic ketoacidosis induced by nivolumab in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Nivolumab is the first programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor approved in China. Compared with chemotherapy, nivolumab has shown advantages of good efficacy and safety in the treatment of a variety of tumors. However, due to its short time of use in China and lack of safety experience, clinical understanding of its adverse reactions has not been sufficiently elucidated. In recent years, cases of diabetic ketoacidosis caused by nivolumab have been reported in the emergency department, which has aroused our concern.

Case Description

Here we present a serious case of diabetic ketoacidosis in a 69-year-old woman with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung, which occurred following therapy with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and dendritic cell/cytokine-induced killer cell (DC/CIK) immunotherapy. She presented with diabetic ketoacidosis 5 days after the second cycle of nivolumab administration. The patient presented with dry mouth symptoms, a maximum blood glucose of 511.2 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 7.4%, urine ketone body value of 3+, and extracellular fluid residual alkali level of -3.8 mmol/L. Normal saline and insulin was initiated. The patient had no history of obesity or family history of diabetes. She received a single dose of 3.75 mg of dexamethasone treatment during this period of time which resulted in cough improvement, but did not explain the onset of the diabetes. She was treated with insulin, sitagliptin phosphate tablets and acarbose tablets. Diabetic ketoacidosis was considered an immune-related toxicity caused by nivolumab, and consequently, treatment with nivolumab was suspended. Patient was maintained under insulin treatment with a blood glucose levels normalization.

Conclusions

The incubation period of nivolumab-induced diabetic ketoacidosis is dispersive and the clinical risk is high. Patients need life-long insulin therapy. Blood glucose and HbA1c should be monitored routinely before and during nivolumab immunotherapy to avoid the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis. After the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin should be used to actively control blood glucose and do a good job in medication education to ensure long-term compliance of patients. Nivolumab should only be initiated if the patient has a clinical benefit under stable glucose control.

PD-1 inhibitor-associated type 1 diabetes: A case report and systematic review

Objective

This study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor-associated type 1 diabetes so as to improve the ability of clinicians to correctly diagnose and treat it.

Methods

We reported a case of a 70-year-old woman with gastric cancer who developed hyperosmolar hyperglycemic coma during camrelizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) treatment and was diagnosed with PD-1 inhibitor-associated type 1 diabetes. We conducted a systematic review of 74 case reports of type 1 diabetes associated with PD-1 inhibitor therapy published before June 2022.

Results

The patient developed type 1 diabetes with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic coma after receiving camrelizumab chemotherapy for 6 months (9 cycles). We searched 69 English articles comprising 75 patients, all of whom had been treated with a PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) and progressed to diabetes after an average of 6.11 (1–28) cycles. Nivolumab combined with ipilimumab (a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitor) had the shortest onset (4.47 cycles on average). A total of 76% (57/75) of patients developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset, and 50.67% (38/75) of patients had C-peptide <0.1 ng/mL. Most of the patients were tested for insulin autoantibodies, with a positive rate of 33.33% (23/69); of these, 86.96% (20/23) were tested for glutamate decarboxylase antibody and 46.67% (35/75) were tested for human leukocyte antigen (HLA). HLA-DR4 was the most common type.

Conclusions

The progression of type 1 diabetes induced by PD-1 inhibitors is relatively rapid. Islet failure often occurs when detected, seriously endangering patients' lives. Patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors should closely monitor their plasma glucose level during treatment to detect, diagnose, and treat diabetes on time.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes mellitus

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This article summarized a total of 172 published cases of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM).

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Found that glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies positivity is related to an earlier onset of ICI-induced diabetes and a higher frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis development.

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Presented a case of ICI-induced DM following obvious lipase and amylase elevation and discussed possible relationship between ICI-associated injuries to pancreatic exocrine function and endocrine function.

Objective

To better understand immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in cancer patients.

Design and method

We present a case of ICI-induced diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and conduct a systematic review of the PubMed and Web of Science databases up to September 2021 to identify all published cases of ICI-induced diabetes.

Results

In addition to our case, a total of 171 published cases were identified during the literature search. Summary and statistical analyzes were conducted for all 172 cases. The median onset time from ICI initiation to DM diagnosis was 12 weeks (range: 0–122). DKA was present in 67.4% (116/172) of the cases, and low C-peptide levels were detected in 91.8% (123/134), indicating an acute onset of diabetes. Patients with positive glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) had an earlier onset of ICI-induced diabetes (median time 7 weeks vs. 16 weeks for GADA-negative patients, p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of DKA development (82.8 vs. 62.1%, p = 0.006). All but two patients developed insulin-dependent diabetes permanently. Immunotherapy rechallenge was reported in 53 cases after glycemia was well controlled.

Conclusion

ICI-induced DM is a serious adverse event that often presents with life-threatening ketoacidosis. GADA positivity is related to an earlier onset of ICI-induced diabetes and a higher frequency of DKA development. Close monitoring of glucose levels is needed in patients receiving ICI treatment. ICI-induced DM is usually insulin-dependent since damage to β cells is irreversible. On the premise of well-controlled glycemia, immunotherapy rechallenge is feasible.

Diabetes mellitus induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: type 1 diabetes variant or new clinical entity? Review of the literature

Immune Check-Point Inhibitors (CPIs) have improved long-term patients' outcomes in several advanced cancers. Diabetes mellitus induced by CPIs (CPI-DM) is considered the second most frequent endocrine CPIs' side effects with a variable prevalence up to 2%. The aim of our study was to identify CPI-DM characteristics and differences from the classical form of diabetes. Therefore, we conducted a structured Pubmed® search collecting publications dated from January 2015 to December 2019. A total of 642 citations were identified and 121 publications met our study criteria. We analyzed 200 case reports, including our 3 cases under publication. The majority of CPI-DM occurred with anti-Programmed cell Death-1 in monotherapy or in combination, although few cases with Programmed cell Death Ligand-1 and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 were reported. Generally, CPI-DM arose early (an average of 9 weeks after CPIs starting), but also after the end of CPIs treatment. In all patients, CPI-DM has an acute onset and in 67.5% of cases diabetic ketoacidosis occurs. C-peptide levels were usually and permanently compromised, requiring lifelong insulin therapy. Moreover, autoimmunity and genetic profile was not always helpful. In particular, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD) antibodies and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DR4 were present in only 43.0% and 51.3% of cases respectively. In 51.0% of subjects a mild exocrine impairment coexisted. In short, though CPI-DM has similarities to type 1 diabetes mellitus, it represents a new, largely unknown, clinical entity. In addition, as CPI-DM is a relative frequent side-effect under CPI, a close monitoring of the glucose levels and early signs and symptoms of diabetes in patients affected by neoplasm is recommended.

Type 1 diabetes induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors

With the increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) including anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) in cancers, ICI-induced type 1 diabetes has been reported throughout the world. In this review, we aim to summarize the characteristics of this disease and discuss the mechanism of it. As an immune-related adverse event, type 1 diabetes developed after the administration of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in the combination with or without anti-CTLA-4. It usually presented with acute onset, and 62.1% of the reported cases had diabetic ketoacidosis. Only a third of them had positive autoantibodies associated with type 1 diabetes. Susceptible HLA genotypes might be associated. T-cell-stimulation by blocking of the interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 in pancreatic β cells was the main mechanism involved in the pathology. Insulin was the only effective treatment of ICI-induced type 1 diabetes. In conclusions, ICI-induced type 1 diabetes is a potentially life-threating adverse event after the immunotherapy of cancers. Screening and early recognition is important. Further investigation of the mechanism may help to better understand the pathology of type 1 diabetes.

Sintilimab induced diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Sintilimab is a novel programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor approved in the treatment of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma and undergoing clinical trials for various malignancies. As a PD-1 inhibitor, sintilimab is known to cause autoimmune adverse events similar to other PD-1 inhibitors. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare but severe adverse event of this therapy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of a 59-year-old man who developed DKA after 5 doses of sintilimab for small cell lung cancer. His fasting glycemia level was 14.07 mmol/L, urine ketone bodies were 4+, arterial blood pH was 7.271, bicarbonate was 12.3 mmol/L, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.4%. Extended investigations revealed that fasting C-peptide was undetectable (<0.003 nmol/L).

DIAGNOSIS

These laboratory investigations supported the diagnosis of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus, but no β-cell related antibodies were positive.

INTERVENTIONS

After remission of DKA, he was treated with insulin therapy to acquire a normalization of glycemia and the disappearance of symptoms.

OUTCOMES

Sintilimab was withheld after 6 cycles and was converted to durvalumab to sustain the therapeutic effect.

LESSONS

This case and associated literature review illustrate the importance of educating and monitoring patients who start PD-1 inhibitor therapy regarding this potentially life-threatening complication.

Nivolumab-induced hypophysitis followed by acute-onset type 1 diabetes with renal cell carcinoma: a case report

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently become widely used for the management of advanced cancer patients. During the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs), it was quickly recognized that they are associated with autoimmune or autoinflammatory side effects. These toxicities are known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs): common endocrine irAEs include hypophysitis and thyroid dysfunction, and uncommon irAEs include type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Case presentation

A 62-year-old Japanese man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma was treated with sunitinib followed by the 10th cycle of treatment with the ICPI nivolumab. He had already had thyroiditis and hypophysitis due to these anti-cancer drugs. On admission, he showed an extremely elevated plasma glucose level (601 mg/dl) and a low C-peptide level, and was diagnosed with acute T1DM. The patient was treated with intravenous fluid infusion and continuous insulin infusion. On the second day, he was switched to multiple daily injections of insulin therapy. Since these treatments, his blood glucose levels have been stable and he has been treated with an additional 10 ICPI treatments for renal cell carcinoma for over a year.

Conclusions

Treatment with ICPIs is expected to increase in the future. There may be cases in which their use for cancer treatment is inevitable despite the side effects. As long as treatment with ICPI continues, multiple side effects can be expected in some cases. It is important to carefully observe the side effects that occur during ICPI treatment and to provide appropriate treatment for each side effect.

Immunotherapy-Associated Pancreatic Adverse Events: Current Understanding of Their Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Management

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibodies, are involved in T cell-mediated immune response augmentation and promote anti-tumor immunity. Cancer patients treated with combination of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy exhibit superior clinical outcomes and tolerance compared with patients treated with monotherapies. However, immutherapy is associated with several concomitant immune-related adverse events (irAEs). For instance, IrAEs interferes with function of gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, dermatological, nervous system and musculoskeletal systems. ICIs-associated pancreatic injury might causes decrease in endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function, resulting in metabolic and nutritional disorders. Clinicians who administer immune checkpoint inhibitors to cancer patients are diagnosed with hyperglycemia, abdominal pain and steatorrhea. Currently, the precise mechanism of ICIs-associated pancreatic injury has not been fully explored. This paper summarizes incidence, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, potential mechanisms, and treatment management patterns of ICIs-associated pancreatic AEs based on previous studies. In addition, possible management approaches of these adverse effects are presented in this paper. in the findings summarized in this paper lay a basis for management of ICIs-associated pancreatic AEs and expanding future immunotherapy applications.

Unravelling Checkpoint Inhibitor Associated Autoimmune Diabetes: From Bench to Bedside

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the landscape of oncological therapy, but at the price of a new array of immune related adverse events. Among these is β-cell failure, leading to checkpoint inhibitor-related autoimmune diabetes (CIADM) which entails substantial long-term morbidity. As our understanding of this novel disease grows, parallels and differences between CIADM and classic type 1 diabetes (T1D) may provide insights into the development of diabetes and identify novel potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we outline the knowledge across the disciplines of endocrinology, oncology and immunology regarding the pathogenesis of CIADM and identify possible management strategies.

The Confounders of Cancer Immunotherapy: Roles of Lifestyle, Metabolic Disorders and Sociological Factors

Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy (CPI) is an effective treatment option for many types of cancers. Irrespective of its wide clinical implications, the overall efficacy remains unpredictable and even poor in certain pathologies such as breast cancer. Thus, it is imperative to understand the role of factors affecting its responsiveness. In this review, we provide an overview on the involvement of sociological factors, lifestyles and metabolic disorders in modulating the CPI response in patients from multiple malignancies. Lifestyle habits including exercise, and diet promoted therapeutic responsiveness while alcohol consumption mitigated the CPI effect by decreasing mutational burden and hampering antigen presentation by dendritic cells. Metabolic disorder such as obesity was recognized to enhance the PD-1 expression while diabetes and hypertension were consequences of CPI therapy rather than causes. Among the sociologic factors, sex and race positively influenced the CPI effectiveness on account of increased effector T cell activity and increased PD-1 expression while ageing impaired CPI responsiveness by decreasing functional T cell and increased toxicity. The combined effect of these factors was observed for obesity and gender, in which obese males had the most significant effect of CPI. Therefore these variables should be carefully considered before treating patients with CPI for optimal treatment outcome.

Fulminant type 1 diabetes: recent research progress and future prospects

To clarify the clinical and etiological characteristics of fulminant type 1 diabetes, we reviewed data from patients who had developed type 1 diabetes following anti-programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy, and research on pancreatic beta cells derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes. As determined from the disease classifications and clinical and genetic characteristics, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy-related type 1 diabetes includes both fulminant type 1 diabetes and acute-onset type 1 diabetes. Using insulin-positive cells derived from iPS cells, beta-cell fragility to inflammatory cytokines, but not its regeneration failure, was observed in fulminant type 1 diabetes. Moreover, severe hyperglycemia was reported as a risk factor of sudden death or cardiac arrest at disease onset, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was suggested as an additional tool for making a diagnosis, and the CSAD/lnc-ITGB7-1 locus was genetically associated with fulminant type 1 diabetes. To fully understand fulminant type 1 diabetes, it is important to clarify the molecular mechanisms step by step through multifaceted approaches such as through analyses of the genetic factors, clinical features, histological findings, and cell biology. The careful and detailed study of patients is a great means for clarifying the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis: An Adverse Reaction to Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs), such as anti-programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), are being utilized in the treatment of many malignancies. Just like their benefits in increasing recurrence-free survival, they also have shown numerous side effects affecting various organ systems. The endocrine adverse events can range from diabetes, hypothyroidism to diabetic ketoacidosis, and adrenal crisis. We would like to report a case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) secondary to combination ipilimumab and nivolumab therapy after two doses. A 49-year-old female presented to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting. Her labs revealed blood glucose of 384 mg/dL, positive ketones, glucose in the urine, and an arterial pH of 7.2. She was treated as per our diabetic ketoacidosis protocol and ultimately discharged on insulin therapy. Clinicians should be vigilant about new hyperglycemic episodes in their patients who are on immunotherapy. Timely detection and management lead to better outcomes. Insulin is the standard treatment of choice in the treatment of immunotherapy mediated type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Fulminant type 1 diabetes: A comprehensive review of an autoimmune condition

Fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D) is a subset of type 1 diabetes characterized by extremely rapid pancreatic β-cell destruction with aggressive progression of hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis. It was initially classified as idiopathic type 1 diabetes due to the absence of autoimmune markers. However, subsequent studies provide evidences supporting the involvement of autoimmunity in rapid β-cell loss in FT1D pathogenesis, which are crucial for FT1D being an autoimmune disease. This article highlights the role of immunological aspects in FT1D according to the autoimmune-associated genetic background, viral infection, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and pancreas histology.

Immune checkpoints inhibitors and hyperglycemia: A Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) exert their therapeutic effect by modulating the immune system and potentiating antitumor immunity. ICI have been associated with several immune-related adverse events, such as diabetes. However, no formal metaanalysis with this respect has been conducted so far. Aim of the present metaanalysis of randomized trials is to assess the effects of ICI on incident diabetes and hyperglycemia.

METHODS

A MEDLINE, Scopus, ISI-WOS, and Cochrane database search was performed to identify trials, enrolling patients with any form of cancer, up to April 23rd, 2019 in which ICI have been compared either with placebo or active comparators. Data were extracted from published reports or, if not available, from clinicaltrials.gov. The principal endpoints were the incidence of diabetes and cases of hyperglycemia, reported as adverse events. Mantel-Haenszel Odds Ratio with 95% Confidence Interval (MH-OR) was calculated for all outcomes. The study has been registered on PROSPERO website (CDR133927).

FINDINGS

Out of 42 trials retrieved, 40 reported information on incident diabetes or hyperglycemia. No association of ICI with incident diabetes (MH-OR 1.27 [0.66, 2.43], p = 0.47) was observed; whereas there was a trend toward an increased risk of hyperglycemia (MH-OR 1.45 [0.99, 2.13], p = 0.060), which reached statistical significance in sensitivity analyses and when analyzing separately placebo-controlled trials (MH-OR 1.95 [1.10, 3.49], p = 0.020). I² statistics did not suggest any relevant heterogeneity for all the principal analyses performed.

INTERPRETATION

ICI treatment is associated with an increased risk of hyperglycemia, and an increase in the risk of diabetes cannot be excluded.

Anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody induced autoimmune diabetes mellitus: a case report and brief review

Nowadays, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has been used in more and more cancer patients. These agents were associated with immune-related adverse effects, and autoimmune diabetes mellitus is one of them. And it is not common but can be potentially fatal. Anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody is a humanized IgG4 antibody against PD-1, which has been applied in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. In this paper, we reported the case of autoimmune diabetes mellitus induced by anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody in NSCLC treatment. Here is a 73-year-old male patient with no diabetes history who had anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody 200 mg every 3 weeks for NSCLC treatment. After 10 cycles of the therapy, his blood glucose level elevated and he suffered diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). And his C-peptide was significantly decreased with negative relative auto-antibodies. Combined with his medical history and the laboratory examination, anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody induced autoimmune diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. After recovering from DKA and controlling his blood glucose, his anti PD-1 therapy was continued and he still got some benefit. This report suggested that glycemic monitoring is imperative during this anti PD-1 monoclonal antibody treatment. Moreover, after controlling the blood glucose level, continuing the immune therapy could still be benefit and safe for the patient.

Human leucocyte antigen DR15, a possible predictive marker for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) induce various immune-related adverse events (irAEs), despite their beneficial effects in treating various advanced cancers. ICPi-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency is described as a prevalent and serious 'pituitary irAE.' However, its precise mechanism remains unclear, and no definitive predictive markers have been reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled and studied 11 patients with advanced cancer (aged 39-70 years; 6 male patients) receiving nivolumab, pembrolizumab or ipilimumab who developed pituitary irAEs. Their clinical data, including endocrine functions, were retrospectively assessed and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes were determined to compare the HLA allele frequencies in these patients and healthy controls.

RESULTS

Among 11 patients, 7, 3 and 1 patients exhibited malignant melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer and gastric cancer, respectively. HLA type screening results revealed that HLA-DR15, B52 and Cw12 were observed in 9, 7, and 7 patients with pituitary irAE, respectively. DR15, B52 and Cw12 were significantly more prevalent in our group than in the healthy control group from the Japanese HLA-haplotype database (this study vs healthy control group); DR15: 81.8% vs 33.5% (n = 11, P = 0.0014), B52: 63.6% vs 21.0% (n = 11, P = 0.0026) and Cw12: 70% vs 21.3% (n = 10, P = 0.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

HLA-DR15, B52 and Cw12 are possible predisposing factors for pituitary irAEs. HLA-DR15 is reportedly associated with autoimmune disease via interleukin-17 regulation, suggesting its involvement in pituitary irAE development. Using HLA haplotypes as pituitary irAE predictive markers, we could provide safe ICPi treatment and understand irAE pathogenesis.