Vemurafenib-Induced Granulomatous Hepatitis

Vemurafenib (Zelboraf; Genentech, CA) is a highly effective oral chemotherapy agent for patients with metastatic melanoma who carry the BRAF V600E mutation. Side effects of this protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) include arthralgia, rash, and fatigue, which are reported in up to one third of treated patients. Mild abnormalities in liver biochemistries were reported with vemurafenib use in 30% of subjects, 11% developed severe laboratory abnormalities, and acute liver failure has been reported (Table 1). Herein, a case of severe vemurafenib-induced granulomatous hepatitis leading to chronic cholestasis is reported along with a review of the hepatotoxicity of other PKIs.