Progression of Hypopituitarism and Hypothyroidism after Treatment with Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Adrenal Metastasis from Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors associated hypophysitis: An analysis from the FAERS database and case reports

To get a thorough understanding of PD-1/L1 inhibitor-related hypophysitis (PD-1/L1-irH), we utilized a combination of disproportionality analysis and case analysis to comprehensively characterize the clinical features of PD-1/L1-irH. Significant signals of hypophysitis were detected for all PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the FAERS (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System). As revealed by both FAERS and the case analysis, PD-1/L1-irH occurred more commonly in males, PD-1 inhibitors users and patients older than 65 years. The median onset time was 101 days in FAERS and 8 cycles in the case analysis. In the case analysis, eight late-onset PD-1/L1-irHs occurred even after a discontinuation of several months (4-15 months). As revealed in FAERS, the outcome of PD-1/L1-irH tended to be poor, generally resulting in 64.66% hospitalization and 12.59% death. Fatigue was the most prominent symptom of PD-1/L1-irH, followed by anorexia, hyponatremia, and hypotension, as revealed by the analysis of 84 cases. Meanwhile isolated adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) deficiency was particularly prevalent for PD-1/L1-irH (85.71%), while gonadal hormones or posterior pituitary hormones deficiencies were rare. Glucocorticoids were administered to almost all cases (81/84), with a physiologic or stress dosage in 61.9% of cases, and a high-dose in 26.2% of cases. Most cases (58.3%) showed a favorable tumor response before diagnosis of PD-1/L1-irH. PD-1/L1-irH may occur throughout the whole therapy period even after discontinuation. Clinicians should pay more attention to PD-1 inhibitor users, males and older patients. Early diagnosis and prompt managements are crucial for PD-1/L1-irH as its potentially life-threatening nature.

Pembrolizumab-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency due to adrenocorticotrophic hormone deficiency in a patient with non-small-cell lung carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Pembrolizumab can cause immune-related adverse events such as adrenal insufficiency (AI). However, there is no consensus regarding appropriate monitoring of adrenal function during subsequent chemotherapy in patients who have received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as pembrolizumab.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we discuss the case of a 60s-year-old male patient with non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy who developed secondary AI due to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) deficiency 8 months after the discontinuation of pembrolizumab, which was 17 months after the initiation of pembrolizumab immunotherapy. After 5 months of chemotherapy, he developed fever and diarrhoea, after which chemotherapy was discontinued. Thereafter, he was hospitalised owing to the development of general fatigue and anorexia. Although cortisol and ACTH levels were not measured during chemotherapy, they were measured before hospitalisation, and secondary AI was suspected. After admission, a detailed endocrine workup was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with secondary AI due to ACTH deficiency. Treatment with hydrocortisone was initiated, which markedly improved his general fatigue and anorexia. The patient showed no evidence of progressive disease 9 months after the discontinuation of pembrolizumab.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, the possibility of AI should be considered in patients who have received ICIs when nonspecific symptoms develop during or after subsequent chemotherapy, and measurements of endocrine function (including cortisol and ACTH levels) should be performed.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency associated with sintilimab therapy in a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Several immune checkpoint inhibitors have been implemented for cancer treatment which have shown some degree of antitumor effcacy, while immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that affect multiple organ functions ensue which obviously should not be neglected. Though less common than other kinds of irAEs, Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) related Isolated ACTH deficiency (IAD) may cause long-term damage to pituitary-adrenal axis. Several case reports are available about IAD during anti-PD-1 therapy. We report the first case of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced IAD following 3 month of sintilimab therapy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 66-year-old Chinese man was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma with involving ipsilateral intrapulmonary and hilar lymph node metastasis. After 3 months of combination therapy of nedaplatin, pemetrexed and sintilimab, the patient presented with general fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Laboratory investigation at admission revealed hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Further investigation revealed adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels were far below than normal limits. His other pituitary hormone levels were normal, except for mild elevation of follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol. Cranic magnetic resonance imaging showed a normal pituitary gland. Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency was diagnosed, and corticosteroid replacement therapy was administered, leading to a significant improvement of his symptoms while ACTH level maintaining low level.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient developed isolated ACTH deficiency during combination cancer treatment with chemotherapy and sintilimab. Although isolated ACTH deficiency due to anti-PD-1 including sintilimab therapy is rare occurrence, it can often cause severe clinical symptoms. Its diagnosis basically relies on clinical symptoms and endocrinological examination. Unlike traditional hypophysitis diagnosed by cranial MRI, pituitary MRI of IAD due to anti-PD-1 often indicates normal pituitary gland implying that over-reliance on imaging findings is not recommended. Even if clinical symptoms have relieved after corticosteroid replacement therapy was commenced, low levels of ACTH or cortisol could maintain for a long period which highlights the need for long term corticosteroid therapy. The purpose of the current report was to provide increased awareness of early detection and therapy of IAD.

Clinical course and management of insidious adrenal crisis manifested initially as hyperpyrexia secondary to pembrolizumab: Case reports and literature review

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel drugs with a dramatic survival benefit in patients with advanced malignancies. With the widespread use, several immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have emerged, which may be life-threatening. Herein we report two patients with adrenal crisis who received anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) (pembrolizumab) therapy. Several reports of secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by pembrolizumab exist, including during treatment or late onset. Severe adrenal insufficiency according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) has rarely been described in the literature, since it initially manifests as high-grade fever. The two male patients developed adrenal crisis that was first characterized by hyperpyrexia accompanied by abdominal symptoms. These initial manifestations confused the clinicians who misdiagnosed them as infection. Timely identification, hydrocortisone pulse therapy, and fluid resuscitation improved the patients’ condition. Compliance with the standardized treatment approach and course can prevent or relieve the crisis as soon as possible. Assessment of relevant laboratory test results and patient education, including when to use stress-dose hydrocortisone and guidance on route of administration, can reduce the incidence of adrenal crisis. We report these two cases and have evaluated the literature on previously reported cases to improve our understanding of this condition and offer a more scientific approach to diagnosis and treatment options.

Exploring a New Entity of Single-Agent Pembrolizumab-Associated Hypophysitis

Hypophysitis is the inflammation of the pituitary gland primary or secondary to local or systemic disease. It tends to occur more with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitors (10-15% of cases), which is a different entity compared to that associated with anti-program death 1 (anti-PD1) inhibitors. We describe a case of pembrolizumab-associated hypophysitis and conduct a systematic review of the literature. A 55-year-old woman with stage pT3aN1a (TNM stadium IIIb) melanoma presented with headache, nausea and fatigue three and a half months after starting pembrolizumab. Blood analyses revealed secondary adrenal failure, thyrotropic insufficiency and defective gonadotrophin secretion. An imaging study showed an enlarged pituitary gland with a homogeneous enhancement of the gland and pituitary stalk. Interruption of anti-PD1 therapy and administration of hormonal supplementation lead to clinical, biological and radiologic improvement after eight months. We identified 17 studies (20 patients) on single-agent pembrolizumab-associated hypophysitis. Patients were treated for melanoma (n=7; 33.3%), urogenital (n=5 ; 23.8%), lung (n=4 ; 19.0%), larynx (n=1 ; 4.8%), pharynx (n=1, 4.8%), breast (n=1, 4.8%) and colon (n=1, 4.8%) neoplasia. The time to onset of pituitary insufficiency was most frequently six months (range 1.5-39.0 months) after treatment initiation. The most prevalent hormonal defect was isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Four cases were reported with multiple central hormonal defects. In those patients, an enlarged pituitary gland was also observed. Our case has distinct features, including early disease onset after single-agent pembrolizumab initiation, panhypopituitarism and increased pituitary mass. These findings are in contrast with the majority of other cases of pembrolizumab-induced hypophysitis, as most patients present an isolated ACTH deficiency. Whether or not this is a new clinical entity warrants further investigation.

Risk assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer treatment-related adrenal insufficiency

INTRODUCTION

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is an easily treatable, potentially life-threatening condition, which is increasingly recognized in malignancy. The recent introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular, and increasing use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors have increased the frequency of AI in patients with malignancy. A review is therefore warranted to summarize current knowledge on the topic and guide safe clinical practices.

AREAS COVERED

Malignancy may directly impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and cause AI, or their treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and medication. In this narrative review, we discuss new causes of AI, recognition of suggestive clinical features, diagnosis and subsequent treatment, aiming to avoid potentially fatal adrenal crisis (AC). Standard literature searching and authors assessment of clinical applicability were used.

EXPERT OPINION

Adrenal insufficiency can be easily treated once identified but life threatening if unrecognized. While use of new agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is increasing, greater understanding of the mechanism of AI is needed to target prediction tools and enhance risk stratification.

Isolated ACTH deficiency induced by cancer immunotherapy: a systematic review

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monoclonal antibodies has shown to be an effective therapeutic alternative in several malignant tumors. However, adverse effects related to an activation of the immune system may accompany ICI therapy. Among the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are autoimmune endocrine adverse effects, such as thyroiditis, and hypophysitis. Secondary adrenal insufficiency due to isolated ACTH deficiency (IAD) has also been recently reported to be associated with ICI antibodies. We carried out a systematic review of IAD cases induced by cancer immunotherapy published to date using PubMed's database. We selected 35 articles that reported 60 cancer patients diagnosed with IAD induced by ICI therapy. The prevalence was higher in men (ratio 1.6/1). Mean age at diagnosis was 63.2 ± 11.6 (range,30-87). Melanoma was the tumor most commonly reported (35%) followed by lung (28.3%) and kidney cancer (18.3%). The ICI monoclonal antibody most frequently associated was nivolumab in monotherapy (60%), followed by pembrolizumab (18.3%). Median (IQR) time to develop IAD after starting ICI therapy was 6 (4-8) months. The main symptoms at IAD diagnosis were fatigue (82.8%) and anorexia (67.2%). Hyponatremia (68%) and eosinophilia (31.8%) were the laboratory abnormalities most frequently associated with IAD. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal in most patients (93%). Thyroiditis was the most prevalent (35%) endocrine irAE associated with IAD. In conclusion, ICI-induced IAD is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that must be taken into account whenever treatment with immunotherapy in cancer patients is started due to their potential serious prognostic implications.

Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Deficiency Associated with Severe Hyperkalemia During Pembrolizumab Therapy in a Patient with Ureteral Cancer and an Ileal Conduit: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Female, 78-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency

Symptoms: Anorexia • general weakness • muscle pain

Medication: Hydrocortisone

Clinical Procedure: Endocrine test

Specialty: Endocrinology and Metabolic

Pembrolizumab-Induced Hypophysitis With Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Deficiency: A Rare Immune-Mediated Adverse Event

Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that targets the programmed cell death protein 1 antigen to stimulate an immune response against tumor cells. It has successfully induced remission in patients with severe metastatic disease, including those refractory to other chemotherapeutic regimens. Immune checkpoint inhibitors may result in immune-related adverse events affecting multiple organs, including endocrine organs, leading to thyroiditis and hypophysitis, among others. Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency and hypophysitis have been reported in patients treated with nivolumab, another programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor. However, clinical characteristics of these side effects associated with pembrolizumab have yet to be described in detail. We describe a case of an 85-year-old Caucasian male undergoing treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma with pembrolizumab, who abruptly developed hypophysitis requiring emergent intervention.

Hypophysitis related to immune checkpoint inhibitors: An intriguing adverse event with many faces

INTRODUCTION

The incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the oncologists' arsenal is a milestone in cancer therapeutics, though not being devoid of toxicities.Areas covered: The present review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the immune-related hypophysitis with focus on the elusive biological background, the wide spectrum of the epidemiological profile, the varying clinical aspects, and the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Expert opinion: Historically considered distinctive of anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the immune-related hypophysitis is increasingly correlated with the anti-programmed cell-death (PD) protein 1 (PD-1)/anti-PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) mAbs. The distinct phenotype of hypophysitis related to anti-PD1/anti-PD-L1 mAbs is highlighted with focus on the immune-related isolated adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) deficiency. The immune-related central diabetes insipidus is discussed as a rare aspect of anti-CTL-A4 mAbs-induced hypophysitis, recently related to anti-PD1/anti-PD-L1 mAbs as well. The present review builds on existing literature concerning immune-related hypophysitis underscoring the pending issues still to be addressed, including (i) pathogenesis; (ii) correlation with preexisting autoimmunity; (iii) predictive value; (iv) utility of high-dose glucocorticoids; and (v) establishment of evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. Increased awareness and constant vigilance are advocated as cornerstone of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal patients' care.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated hypercalcaemia

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of different advanced cancers. These drugs have the ability to reactivate the immune system against tumour cells but can also trigger a myriad of side effects, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although there are numerous reports of CPI-related endocrinopathies, hypercalcaemia as a suspected irAE is not well documented. The mechanisms of CPI hypercalcaemia are not clearly established. However, in our review, four distinct causes emerged: endocrine disease-related, sarcoid-like granuloma, humoral hypercalcaemia due to parathyroid-related hormone and hyperprogressive disease following CPI initiation. Prompt recognition of hypercalcaemia and the institution of therapy can be lifesaving, affording the opportunity to address the underlying aetiology. In this review we discuss the incidence, diagnosis and management of immune-related hypercalcaemia in oncological patients receiving CPI agents.