Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Incited by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Breast Cancer Effectively Treated With Liver Transplantation

ACG Case Rep J. 2024 Jan 25;11(1):e01253. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001253. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors are targeted therapies demonstrated to significantly improve overall survival as adjuvant treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Although intended to preferentially arrest cell cycle transitions in tumor cells, these agents can have undesirable systemic side effects, including hepatotoxicity. We report the first case of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor therapy leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Our case highlights the multidisciplinary approach required to manage acute-on-chronic liver failure induced by cancer-directed therapies in those with extrahepatic malignancies.

Keywords: acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF); breast cancer; cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor; drug-induced liver injury (DILI); liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports