Journal
ENDOCRINE PRACTICE
Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 351-355Publisher
AMER ASSOC CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS
DOI: 10.4158/EP11273.OR
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- NHLBI NIH HHS [F32 HL104776, F32 HL104776-02] Funding Source: Medline
- NICHD NIH HHS [K08 HD070957] Funding Source: Medline
- NIDDK NIH HHS [T32 DK007529] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objective: To present a case series of ipilimumab-related secondary adrenal insufficiency. Methods: In this cases series, we review the presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of patients with advanced melanoma who received ipilimumab and were referred to our endocrinology clinic for evaluation of hormonal abnormalities. Results: Seven patients presented with symptoms, signs, or biochemical evidence of adrenal insufficiency 6 to 12 weeks after starting ipilimumab therapy. Ipilimumab is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody that is approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and has widespread use for this disease. All 7 patients had biochemical evidence of profound secondary adrenal insufficiency. Thyroid function abnormalities, central hypogonadism, and low insulinlike growth factor 1 levels were seen in a subset of patients. Only 2 patients had abnormal findings on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. Posterior pituitary function remained normal. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the enhanced immune response associated with ipilimumab therapy may have a predilection for corticotroph and possibly thyrotroph cells. We recommend periodic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis monitoring for patients on this therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:351-355)
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available