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Endocrinopathies with use of cancer immunotherapies
Author(s) -
Villa Natalie M.,
Farahmand Abtin,
Du Lin,
Yeh Michael W.,
SmookePraw Stephanie,
Ribas Antoni,
Chmielowski Bartosz,
Cherry Grace,
Leung Angela M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/cen.13483
Subject(s) - ipilimumab , medicine , nivolumab , endocrine system , pembrolizumab , cancer , cohort , adverse effect , incidence (geometry) , endocrinology , oncology , immunotherapy , hormone , physics , optics
Summary Background Immunomodulatory therapies, including CTLA ‐4 and PD ‐1 inhibitors, provide a directed attack against cancer cells by preventing T cell deactivation. However, these drugs also prevent the downregulation of auto‐reactive T cells, resulting in immune‐related adverse events ( IRAE s). Reports show a varied incidence of endocrine IRAE s, ranging from 0% to 63%. Objective To describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of endocrine IRAE s in patients taking cancer immunomodulatory therapies. Design Retrospective cohort study. Patients A total of 388 patients aged ≥18 years who were prescribed ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab between 2009 and 2016 at our institution. Measurements Biochemical criteria were used to define endocrine IRAE s, including thyroid, pituitary, pancreas and adrenal dysfunction, following use of immunomodulatory therapies. Results Fifty endocrine IRAE s occurred in our cohort, corresponding to a rate of 12.9%. The most common endocrine IRAE s were thyroid dysfunction (11.1%), with a lower incidence of pituitary dysfunction (1.8% of patients). Conclusions Over 12% of patients receiving ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab in our study sample developed an endocrine IRAE . Patients who undergo treatment with immunomodulatory therapies should be monitored for the development of endocrine IRAE s.