Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Related Endocrine Adverse Events

Review
In: Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
.

Excerpt

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently used for the treatment of various types of cancers. Despite the important clinical benefits, these medications can lead to a spectrum of side effects called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Endocrine irAEs are among the most common irAEs that have been reported in clinical trials and post-marketing settings with an overall incidence of around 10% of patients treated with ICIs. These include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypophysitis, primary adrenal insufficiency, insulin‐deficient diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, and other less commonly reported side effects. The symptoms can sometimes be nonspecific but life-threatening. Hence, physicians should be aware of the endocrine irAEs which can occur anytime during treatment or even after discontinuation of the medications. In this chapter, we will be discussing in detail the ICI-related endocrine irAEs and their management. In addition, we will be suggesting an algorithm to be used in the clinical setting for screening and monitoring of the endocrine iRAEs. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.

Publication types

  • Review