Medicine (St Vincent's) - Research Publications
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ItemSUN-127 Diagnostic Challenges Associated with the Rising Incidence of Endocrine Toxicity in the Era of Combination Immunotherapy(The Endocrine Society, 2020-05-08)Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint blockade is now established as standard of care in several malignancies. Trials involving combined cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) blockade demonstrate improved tumour responses in melanoma but at the cost of severe grade 3-4 immune related adverse events (irAEs) in 55%, and endocrine irAEs in up to 10% [1]. Immune-mediated damage to endocrine glands can be a diagnostic and management challenge. We aimed to review the incidence, biochemical evolution and imaging findings of endocrine toxicity related to combined anti CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapy. Methods: We undertook a retrospective chart review of patients who received combined ipilimumab and nivolumab for metastatic melanoma at a tertiary referral centre between 2016-2019. We recorded onset and duration of abnormal biochemistry in endocrine irAEs, reviewed all available MRI images for pituitary size (mm) and appearance and 18-F FDG PET images for features of hypophysitis, thyroiditis and pancreatitis. Results: 162 patients received combination therapy. At least one irAE was recorded in 135 patients (83%), 100 (62%) required glucocorticoids, and 84 (52%) had an unplanned hospital presentation due to irAEs. Thyroiditis occurred in 50 (30.9%), with median time to onset of 30.9 days (range 1-234 days). 35 cases were identified with routine biochemistry performed every 4-6 weeks. TSH receptor antibody was measured in 13 patients and all were negative. 29 (58%) developed permanent hypothyroidism. Central cortisol deficiency was documented in 31 (19%) with a median time to diagnosis of 67.5 days (range 5-286). 4 cases were diagnosed on routine biochemistry and 14 presented with symptoms prompting investigation. 13 were diagnosed after routine neuroimaging demonstrated a pituitary abnormality, and a further 27 patients without the clinical syndrome had features of hypophysitis on neuroimaging. New onset diabetes occurred in 3 people, in which pancreatic inflammation on imaging was found in 2. A further 3/5 patients with an asymptomatic elevated lipase were found to have abnormal pancreatic imaging. In one patient with no features of endocrine or exocrine failure, there was a significant increase in FDG uptake and a subsequent loss of pancreatic volume. Conclusion: We report real world incidence of endocrine irAEs with combination immunotherapy. Routine biochemistry leads to the detection of some but not all cases. Early recognition and avoidance of unplanned presentations remains a challenge. Opportunistic assessment of endocrine gland appearance on routine imaging studies may provide useful early diagnostic information. Reference: Larkin J, Chiarion-Sileni V, Gonzalez R, Grob JJ, Cowey CL, Lao CD, et al. Combined nivolumab and ipilimumab or monotherapy in untreated melanoma. N Engl J Med. (2015) 1:23-34. 10.1056/NEJMoa1504030