Fatal fulminant hepatitis in a patient taking abiraterone acetate: a case report

Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jun 29:10:1143244. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1143244. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Abiraterone acetate is a steroidal inhibitor of cytochrome P450 17A1 indicated in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. This report examines the case of a 66-year-old patient diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma that had metastasized to the bones and lymph nodes. Treatment with abiraterone acetate and corticosteroid co-administration as well as LH-RH analog hormone therapy was initiated. Four and a half months later, the patient consulted for deterioration of general condition. Biologically, he developed a fulminant hepatitis of which he eventually died. An infectious or metabolic origin was ruled out. Oncological cause by either disease progression or second neoplastic process was eliminated by means of imaging. Hepatic toxicity was imputed to the treatment with abiraterone acetate. This case suggests that fulminant hepatitis on abiraterone acetate may be underestimated, and underscores the importance of regular monitoring of liver tests on this therapy.

Keywords: abiraterone; case report; fulminant hepatitis; hepatotoxicity; prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Neuchâtel Hospital Network (Réseau Hospitalier Neuchatelois).