Anti-thyroid antibodies and thyroid echo pattern at baseline as risk factors for thyroid dysfunction induced by anti-programmed cell death-1 antibodies: a prospective study

Background Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibodies can cause thyroid dysfunction. However, no predictive biomarkers enabling stratification of thyroid dysfunction risk have been identified. Methods A total of 209 patients treated with an anti-PD-1 antibody were evaluated for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline and prospectively for thyroid function every 6 weeks for 24 weeks after treatment initiation, and then observed until the visits stopped. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed if the patient was positive for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline. Results Of the 209 patients, 19 (9.1%) developed thyroid dysfunction (destructive thyroiditis or hypothyroidism). The cumulative incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in patients who were positive vs. negative for anti-thyroid antibodies (15/44 [34.1%] vs. 4/165 [2.4%], p < 0.001). Forty-two patients positive for anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline were divided into two groups according to the presence of an irregular echo pattern. The cumulative incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in those with an irregular vs. a regular echo pattern (13/23 [56.5%] vs. 1/19 [5.3%], p = 0.001). None of the patients developed thyroid dysfunction after the initial 24-week period. Conclusions The risk of thyroid dysfunction induced by anti-PD-1 antibodies can be predicted by evaluation of anti-thyroid antibodies and the thyroid echo pattern at baseline.